Lifetime Limits for Financial Aid
Direct Loan Limits
The federal Direct Loan programs carry both annual and cumulative (lifetime) limits. Your SAR (Student Aid Report) lists your cumulative loans, but it is important that you also keep records of all your loan transactions. You can also look up your loan history online using www.studentaid.gov.
Annual Limits |
Maximum Sub + Unsub |
Maximum Sub |
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Dependent Freshman(completed 0-23 credits) |
$5,500 |
$3,500 |
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Dependent Sophomore(completed 24-53 credits) |
$6,500 |
$4,500 |
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Dependent Junior/Senior(completed 54+ credits) |
$7,500 |
$5,500 |
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Independent Freshman(completed 0-23 credits) |
$9,500 |
$3,500 |
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Independent Sophomore(completed 24-53 credits) |
$10,500 |
$4,500 |
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Independent Junior/Senior(completed 54+ credits) |
$12,500 |
$5,500 |
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Graduate/Professional(received BA degree working on Grad program) |
$20,500 |
$0 |
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Lifetime Limits |
Maximum |
Maximum |
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|
Dependent Undergraduate |
$31,000 |
$23,000 |
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|
Independent Undergraduate |
$57,500 |
$23,000 |
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|
Graduate/Professional * |
$138,500 |
$65,500 |
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|
Medical |
$224,000 |
$65,500 |
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** Graduate subsidized Stafford loans are no longer available as the federal government has ended the subsidized loan program for graduate students.
What Happens If I Reach My Lifetime Limit?
If you reach your lifetime loan limit, you cannot receive any more of that type of loan. If you exceed your limit, aid already disbursed will be billed back. You will have to find alternate ways to finance your education. Therefore, it is to your advantage to borrow only what you need for educational expenses and to keep track of your cumulative debt. Our counselors are happy to work with you to find ways to minimize your borrowing.
150% Subsidized Loan Limit
Below are the maximum lengths of time a student can receive Direct Subsidized Loans for depending on their academic program. If a student reaches the 150% Subsidized Loan Limit, they are no longer eligible to borrow any additional Direct Subsidized loans. Also, if they continue attending, they will lose the interest subsidy on their previously borrowed loans beginning on the first day of continued enrollment.
|
Length of Degree Program |
Max Eligibility Period |
|
2 Years |
3 Years |
|
4 Years |
6 Years |
|
5 Years |
7.5 Years |
Lifetime Pell Grant Limits
In December 2011, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-74). This law has significantly impacted the Pell Grant Program.
Beginning in Fall 2012, students are now limited to 12 semesters (or 600%) of Pell Grant eligibility during their lifetime. This change affects all students regardless of when or where they received their first Pell Grant.
You may view your percentage of Pell Grant used by logging into www.studentaid.gov. Your 'Lifetime Eligibility Used' percentage will be displayed in the 'Grants' section.
For more information on how lifetime eligibility is calculated, visit the StudentAid.gov site.
Lifetime Maine Grant Limits
Students are able to receive the Maine State Grant Award for the equivalency of 5 years of full-time enrollment. The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) tracks students by assigning 2 points if paid as a full-time student and 1 point as a part-time student, the maximum amount of points a student can receive is 20 points.
Other programs may have lifetime limits - please see all programs you are eligible for to make sure you are within your eligibility limits.