How Much Student Loan Can You Get in the USA? [2025 Guide]

Why Student Loan Limits Matter

If you’re planning to attend college or graduate school in the United States, you’re probably asking one of the most common questions: how much student loan can you get in the USA? With rising tuition costs, many students and families rely on federal and private student loans to bridge the financial gap. According to the Federal Reserve, outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. has surpassed $1.7 trillion, making it a major factor in financial planning for both students and parents.

Understanding student loan limits is critical before you sign a promissory note. Federal loans have specific borrowing caps that depend on your year in school, dependency status, and degree level. Private loans often cover up to 100% of school-certified costs, but they come with stricter credit requirements and sometimes higher interest rates.

This guide breaks down exactly how much you can borrow as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student, and what options parents and international students have. By the end, you’ll know not only the maximum amounts but also the practical considerations, repayment expectations, and smart borrowing strategies to avoid overwhelming debt.

Federal Student Loan Limits for Undergraduates

The U.S. Department of Education sets clear rules for how much undergraduate students can borrow in Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans. These are commonly referred to as Stafford Loans and remain the most affordable option for most students.

The limits depend on whether you’re considered a dependent student (relying on parental support) or an independent student (financially self-supporting).

• Dependent undergraduates can borrow up to $31,000 total, and no more than $23,000 can be subsidized.
• Independent undergraduates can borrow up to $57,500 total, with the same $23,000 subsidized cap.

Each academic year, your eligibility also has an annual cap. For example, a first-year dependent student can borrow $5,500 total, with no more than $3,500 subsidized. By senior year, the annual limit rises to $7,500.

Subsidized loans are especially valuable because the government pays the interest while you’re in school at least half-time, during grace periods, and during deferments. Unsubsidized loans accrue interest immediately, but they give students more flexibility to borrow up to the cap.

According to Bankrate (June 2025), most undergraduates graduate with an average of $28,000 in federal student loans, which is below the lifetime cap. That means many students don’t actually max out their eligibility. However, students at high-cost private colleges or those without parental support may quickly hit the maximum.

In short, undergraduate loan caps are designed to prevent students from over-borrowing, but they often fall short of covering the full cost of attendance (COA), which includes tuition, fees, housing, books, and personal expenses. That’s where PLUS loans and private loans come in.

Read more here on student loans

Graduate and Professional Student Loan Limits

Graduate and professional students face higher tuition bills, so their borrowing caps are larger. Under current rules from Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov):

• The maximum federal direct loan amount is $138,500 total, including both undergraduate and graduate borrowing.
• Out of that amount, no more than $65,500 can be subsidized.
• Students in certain medical or health-related programs can borrow up to $224,000.

Unlike undergraduates, most graduate students are only eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Subsidized loans are limited to undergraduates, so interest begins accruing immediately once funds are disbursed.

To put this in perspective, the Association of American Medical Colleges reports that the median medical school debt in 2023 was $202,000, which means many medical students rely not only on unsubsidized federal loans but also on Grad PLUS loans to cover the remaining gap.

Graduate students should carefully weigh these higher limits against realistic repayment plans. For example, borrowing the full $138,500 at a 6% interest rate could translate into monthly payments of around $1,500 under a standard 10-year repayment plan. For many, income-driven repayment plans like PAYE or REPAYE (soon to be replaced by the SAVE plan) are essential to keep monthly payments manageable.

The takeaway is simple: Graduate loan limits are generous compared to undergraduate caps, but repayment can be overwhelming without a clear career income trajectory.

PLUS Loans: Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS Borrowing Limits

When federal direct loan limits aren’t enough, PLUS Loans offer a way to cover the remaining cost of attendance (COA). These loans are available to both graduate students and parents of dependent undergraduates.

Unlike Stafford loans, which have set borrowing caps, PLUS loans are more flexible. You can borrow up to the total cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received. This means if tuition and fees are $50,000 and you receive $20,000 in grants and Stafford loans, you may borrow up to $30,000 through PLUS loans.

There are two categories:

• Parent PLUS Loans – These allow parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow on behalf of their child. The responsibility to repay rests with the parent, not the student.
• Grad PLUS Loans – These are available to graduate and professional students who need more than the unsubsidized loan limit of $138,500.

Credit history plays a role here. Unlike federal Stafford loans, which don’t require a credit check, PLUS loans do. However, the approval bar is lower than private lenders. An applicant cannot have an adverse credit history, such as recent defaults or bankruptcies.

NerdWallet notes that PLUS loans often carry slightly higher interest rates and origination fees compared to Stafford loans. For 2025, interest rates for PLUS loans are hovering around 8%, making them among the costliest federal borrowing options. Still, for families facing tuition bills far beyond federal limits, they remain a practical lifeline.

Private Student Loan Limits in the USA

When federal aid doesn’t cover everything, students and families often turn to private student loans. These loans, offered by banks, credit unions, and companies like Sallie Mae, can cover up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance.

The exact borrowing limit depends on the lender, your school’s estimated COA, and your creditworthiness. In most cases, you’ll need a creditworthy cosigner to qualify, especially if you’re an undergraduate. According to Experian, about 90% of private undergraduate loans are cosigned by a parent or guardian.

Here are key features of private student loans:

• Coverage: Can pay for tuition, housing, books, and other education-related expenses.
• Repayment flexibility: Some lenders allow you to defer payments until after graduation, while others require small monthly payments during school.
• Variable vs fixed interest rates: Fixed rates provide predictability, while variable rates may start lower but can increase over time.
• No federal protections: Unlike federal loans, private loans don’t offer income-driven repayment, loan forgiveness programs, or guaranteed deferments.

For instance, Sallie Mae’s Smart Option Student Loan covers up to 100% of costs at more than 4,000 eligible schools. Other lenders like College Ave, Discover, and SoFi offer similar products, with competitive interest rates for borrowers with strong credit.

While private loans can bridge the gap, they should be approached with caution. Without the safety nets of federal loans, they can quickly become burdensome if your post-graduation income doesn’t match repayment expectations.

International Student Loans in the USA

International students face a unique challenge: they are generally not eligible for federal student loans. Instead, they must rely on scholarships, personal funding, or private international student loans.

Companies like Prodigy Finance and MPower Financing specialize in loans for international students studying in the U.S. Most traditional private lenders, such as Sallie Mae or banks, also offer international loans, but they usually require a U.S.-based cosigner.

The borrowing limit is typically the total cost of education minus any other aid, as certified by the school. That means international students can technically borrow enough to cover full tuition and living expenses. However, interest rates are often higher than domestic student loans, and repayment terms can be stricter.

According to InternationalStudent.com, international loans can help students cover tuition, housing, and other education-related expenses, but approval depends heavily on school eligibility and cosigner strength.

For international students, the smartest strategy is often a mix of scholarships, assistantships, and limited borrowing to keep debt levels manageable. Without federal repayment protections, relying solely on loans can make repayment very difficult after graduation, especially if returning to a country with lower wages.

Repayment Considerations for High Student Loan Balances

Borrowing the maximum in federal or private student loans might seem like the easiest way to pay for school, but repayment deserves careful planning. A loan that feels manageable on paper can quickly turn into a heavy financial burden if interest accrues faster than you expect.

For example, a $50,000 student loan at 6% interest translates into a monthly payment of around $555 on the standard 10-year repayment plan. A $100,000 loan balance would require more than $1,100 per month over the same term. These estimates don’t account for origination fees, capitalization of interest, or changes in repayment status.

That’s why many graduates turn to income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, such as the SAVE plan introduced in 2023, which replaced REPAYE. SAVE adjusts payments based on income and family size, often reducing monthly payments dramatically compared to the standard plan. For high-balance borrowers, SAVE or Pay As You Earn (PAYE) can provide breathing room, even though they may stretch repayment over decades.

Another factor to consider is loan forgiveness programs. Federal loans may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), which forgives remaining debt after 120 qualifying payments for those working in government or nonprofit jobs. Teachers may also qualify for Teacher Loan Forgiveness, which cancels up to $17,500 in certain loans after five years of service.

Private student loans, on the other hand, don’t offer these protections. Repayment is generally less flexible, with limited deferment or forbearance options. Borrowers must rely on refinancing or lender-specific hardship programs if they struggle to make payments.

The bottom line: Taking out the maximum allowed loan isn’t inherently a bad decision, but you need to evaluate repayment scenarios carefully. Compare the potential salary for your degree with expected monthly payments, and consider whether income-driven repayment or forgiveness programs could ease the load.

FAQs About Student Loan Limits in the USA

How much are student loans in the USA on average?
According to the Federal Reserve, the average outstanding balance for U.S. borrowers is about $37,000. For undergraduates, the average debt at graduation is closer to $28,000.

What is the federal student loan limit for undergraduates?
Dependent undergraduates can borrow up to $31,000 total, while independent students can borrow up to $57,500 total in federal loans.

How much can graduate students borrow in student loans?
Graduate and professional students can borrow up to $138,500, including undergraduate debt. Medical and health-related fields have a higher cap of $224,000.

What is the maximum PLUS loan amount?
There is technically no hard cap. Borrowers can take out Parent PLUS or Grad PLUS loans up to the full cost of attendance (COA) minus other aid.

Can private student loans cover 100% of tuition?
Yes. Lenders like Sallie Mae, Discover, and SoFi allow borrowing up to 100% of certified costs, including tuition, housing, and fees. Approval depends on credit history and often requires a cosigner.

How much is the monthly payment on a $50,000 student loan?
At 6% interest on a standard 10-year plan, monthly payments are about $555. Income-driven repayment plans can lower this, depending on income and family size.

How long does it take to repay $100,000 in student loans?
On the standard 10-year repayment plan, $100,000 at 6% interest requires about $1,110 per month. With income-driven plans, repayment can stretch to 20 or 25 years, with possible forgiveness at the end.

Do international students have access to U.S. student loans?
International students are not eligible for federal loans. However, private international student loans are available, usually requiring a U.S.-based cosigner. Companies like Prodigy Finance and MPower Financing serve this niche.

Conclusion: Borrow Smart, Borrow Within Limits

Figuring out how much student loan you can get in the USA isn’t just about knowing the maximum numbers. It’s about making smart, informed choices that fit your long-term financial future. Federal loans come with clear lifetime borrowing caps — $31,000 for dependent undergraduates, $57,500 for independent undergraduates, and $138,500 for graduate students. Special programs like medical degrees allow borrowing up to $224,000. Beyond that, Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS loans expand the borrowing window to the full cost of attendance, while private student loans can also cover 100% of expenses if you qualify.

But just because you can borrow doesn’t always mean you should. Borrowing the maximum amount without a repayment strategy can lead to years of financial stress. On the other hand, using federal loans strategically can unlock opportunities like income-driven repayment and even loan forgiveness, which private loans don’t offer.

For students and families, the best approach is to:

• Start with FAFSA to maximize grants, scholarships, and federal loan options.
• Use federal loans first, since they come with lower interest rates and flexible repayment programs.
• Borrow only what you need, not automatically the full amount offered.
• Consider career outcomes and projected income before committing to high balances.
• Explore private loans carefully, checking terms, interest rates, and cosigner requirements.
• Plan repayment early using tools like the Student Loan Calculator from SmartAsset or guidance from financial aid advisors.

Ultimately, the goal of borrowing for college is not just to cover tuition, but to invest in a degree that pays for itself without crippling your financial future. With thoughtful planning, you can use student loans as a stepping stone instead of a setback.

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oluremi olaoye

Oluremi is the founder and owner of Gizmosum.com, a platform dedicated to making technology simple and accessible. Passionate about how-to guides, phone accessories, and everyday digital tools, Oluremi creates content that helps readers discover smarter ways to use their devices and stay ahead of tech trends.

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