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Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans
Federal unsubsidized direct loans are fixed-rate student loans for students attending a college or university that participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program. Unsubsidized loans can be used to pay tuition and other eligible school expenses.
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans are not awarded based on financial need, though more can be requested in the absence of better subsidized loans. Any eligible student can take out unsubsidized Stafford loans. Borrowers of federal unsubsidized direct loans will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed, to the time the loan is repaid in full.
Unsubsidized direct loans are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Both require a prospective borrower to file a FAFSA in order to qualify and be awarded this loan.
Stafford Loan Limits
| Dependent Students | Annual Loan Limits |
|---|---|
| First Year | $5,500 ($3,500 subsidized/$2,000 unsubsidized) |
| Second Year | $6,500 ($4,500 subsidized/$2,000 unsubsidized) |
| Third Year and Beyond | $7,500 ($5,500 subsidized/$2,000 unsubsidized) |
| Independent Students | Annual Loan Limits |
|---|---|
| First Year | $9,500 ($3,500 subsidized/$6,000 unsubsidized) |
| Second Year | $10,500 ($4,500 subsidized/$6,000 unsubsidized) |
| Third Year and Beyond | $12,500 ($5,500 subsidized/$7,000 unsubsidized) |
| Graduate or Professional | $20,500 ($8,500 subsidized/$12,000 unsubsidized) |
| Lifetime Limits | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Dependent | $31,000 (Up to $23,000 may be subsidized) |
| Undergraduate Independent | $57,500 |
| Graduate or Professional |
$138,500 (Up to $65,000 may be subsidized)
or $224,000 (for Health Professionals) |
| For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008. | |
For the 2010-11 school year, a federal direct unsubsidized stafford loan carries a fixed interest rate of 6.8 percent.
You may also be eligible to receive subsidized need-based federal Direct Stafford loans. Visit our Subsidized Direct Student Loans Page.
