Stafford Loan Eligibility

Congress recently passed legislation increasing Stafford loan limits for some students.

Effective July 1, 2008, dependent students may borrow up to the amounts shown below.

Year in school
Credits Required
on transcript
Base amount
for award year
Additional Unsubsidized
upon request
Freshman
0 credits
$3,500
$1,750 per semester
$2,000
$1,000 per semester

Sophomore
30-59 earned credits
$4,500
$2,250 per semester
$2,000
$1,000 per semester
Junior &
Senior
60 earned credits -
165 attempted credits
$5,500
$2,750 per semester
$2,000
$1,000 per semester
Second Bachelor
0-60 attempted credits
$5,500
$2,750 per semester
$2,000
$1,000 per semester

Stafford loans together with other financial aid received are limited by the estimated cost of attendance. If you receive grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, veterans benefits, vocational rehabilitation funds etc., this might limit the amount you can borrow.

Effective July 1, 2008, dependent students may borrow up to $31,500 in Stafford loans. However, no more than $23,000 of this limit can be subsidized. Dependent students may borrow the loan amounts listed below if their parents apply for a Parent PLUS loan and are denied.

Independent Students:

Effective July 1, 2008, independent students may borrow up to the amounts shown below.

Year in school
Credits Required
on transcript
Base amount
for award year
Additional Unsubsidized
upon request
Freshman
0 credits
$3,500
$1,750 per semester
$6,000
$3000 per semester
Sophomore
30-59 earned credits
$4,500
$2,250 per semester
$6,000
$3000 per semester
Junior &
Senior
60 earned credits -
165 attempted credits
$5,500
$2,750 per semester
$7,000
$3500 per semester
Second Bachelor
0-60 attempted credits
$5,500
$2,750 per semester
$7,000
$3500 per semester
Graduate
0-60 attempted credits
$8500
$4250 per semester
$12,000
$6000 per semester

Stafford loans together with other financial aid received are limited by the estimated cost of attendance. If you receive grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, veterans benefits, vocational rehabilitation funds etc., this might limit the amount you can borrow.

Effective July 1, 2008, independent undergraduate students may borrow up to $57,500 in Stafford loans. However, no more than $23,000 of this limit can be subsidized. Graduate students may borrow up to $138,500 in Stafford loans. However, no more than $65,500 of this limit can be subsidized.

Please note:

  • You must be enrolled in at least six credits of coursework and fully admitted to a degree-seeking program to receive Stafford loans. Year-long independent study classes do not qualify for financial aid.
  • Stafford loan amounts can be subsidized or unsubsidized or a combination of the two depending on your expected family contribution and other factors. Additional Stafford loans are always unsubsidized.
  • Students who don't borrow their entire eligibility fall and spring semesters may use their leftover eligibility for summer semester. If you wish to borrow additional unsubsidized Stafford loan, please contact the USU Financial Aid office.