Important Information
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces new federal student loan limits for new borrowers whose loan period begins on or after July 1, 2026. Please click here for the most recent updates.
Information for students studying less than full-time will be posted as it becomes available. Please check this page regularly for updates.
All information on this page is subject to change as additional guidance is released by the U.S. Department of Education.
Graduate and Professional Students
|
Borrower Type |
Annual Unsubsidized Loan Limit |
Aggregate Loan Limit |
Grad PLUS Loans |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Graduate student (not currently or previously a professional student) |
$20,500 |
$100,000 |
Discontinued |
|
Graduate student who is or has been a professional student |
$20,500 |
$200,000* |
Discontinued |
|
Professional student (not currently or previously a graduate student) |
$50,000 |
$200,000 |
Discontinued |
|
Professional student who is or has been a graduate student |
$50,000 |
$200,000~ |
Discontinued |
Lifetime Federal Loan Limit
Beginning July 1, 2026, a lifetime federal student loan limit of $257,500 applies to combined undergraduate and graduate/professional borrowing.
* Includes any amount previously borrowed as a graduate student.
~ Includes any amount previously borrowed as a professional student.
Dependent Undergraduate Students
|
Academic Level |
Subsidized Loan Limit |
Total Annual Loan Limit (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) |
|---|---|---|
|
First Year |
$3,500 |
$5,500 |
|
Second Year |
$4,500 |
$6,500 |
|
Third and Fourth Year |
$5,500 |
$7,500 |
Independent Undergraduate Students and Dependent Students Whose Parents Cannot Borrow a PLUS Loan
|
Academic Level |
Subsidized Loan Limit |
Total Annual Loan Limit (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) |
|---|---|---|
|
First Year |
$3,500 |
$9,500 |
|
Second Year |
$4,500 |
$10,500 |
|
Third and Fourth Year |
$5,500 |
$12,500 |
Parent PLUS Loans
|
Loan Type |
Annual Limit |
Aggregate Limit |
|---|---|---|
|
Parent PLUS Loan |
$20,000 per student |
$65,000 per student |
For questions regarding your eligibility or borrowing limits, please email usfinaid@uwindsor.ca.
Grandfathered Loan Limits
The following borrowing limits apply to students and parents who qualify for grandfathered federal loan provisions and remain continuously enrolled in the same program at the same institution.
Who Qualifies for Grandfathered Limits?
Students may qualify if:
- They received a Direct Loan on or before June 30, 2026.
- They remain enrolled in the same program at the same institution.
Graduate and professional students who borrowed a Direct Unsubsidized Loan on or before June 30, 2026 may continue to access Grad PLUS Loans for the lesser of:
- Three academic years, or
- Expected time to credential - (published program length minus completed portion of program)
Eligible graduate and professional students may also retain access to previous annual and aggregate borrowing limits, including higher limits for certain health profession programs.
Parents may qualify for grandfathered Parent PLUS Loan limits if:
- They borrowed a Parent PLUS Loan on or before June 30, 2026; or
- Their dependent student received a Direct Subsidized or Direct Unsubsidized Loan on or before June 30, 2026.
The student must remain enrolled in the same program at the same institution for continued eligibility. The grandfathered Parent Plus loan limits will be in effect for the lesser of:
- Three academic years, or
- Expected time to credential - (published program length minus completed portion of program)
Annual Direct Loan Limits
Dependent Undergraduate Students
|
Academic Level |
Subsidized Loan Limit |
Total Annual Loan Limit (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) |
|
First Year |
$3,500 |
$5,500 |
|
Second Year |
$4,500 |
$6,500 |
|
Third and Fourth Year |
$5,500 |
$7,500 |
Independent Undergraduate Students and Dependent Students Whose Parents Cannot Borrow a PLUS Loan
|
Academic Level |
Subsidized Loan Limit |
Total Annual Loan Limit (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) |
|
First Year |
$3,500 |
$9,500 |
|
Second Year |
$4,500 |
$10,500 |
|
Third and Fourth Year |
$5,500 |
$12,500 |
Graduate and Professional Students
| Subsidized Loan Limit | Total Annual Loan limit (Unsubsidized) |
| $0 | $20,5000 |
Aggregate Direct Loan Limits
|
Student Type |
Subsidized Loan Limit |
Total Aggregate Loan Limit (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) |
|
Dependent Undergraduate |
$23,000 |
$31,000 |
|
Independent Undergraduate |
$23,000 |
$57,500 |
|
Graduate and Professional |
$65,500 |
$138,500 |
Graduate PLUS and Parent PLUS Loans
The maximum Graduate PLUS or Parent PLUS Loan amount is based on:
- The student's cost of attendance;
- Any other financial assistance received; and
- The amount of Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loan funding for which the student is eligible.
Lifetime Federal Loan Limit
Beginning July 1, 2026, a lifetime federal student loan limit of $257,500 applies to combined undergraduate and graduate/professional borrowing.
The Student Awards & Financial Aid Office determines the student's cost of attendance for loan purposes.