Federal Loan Limits
Annual and Aggregate Federal Loan Limits
Important federal student loan changes to the Federal Direct Loan program, enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will become effective on July 1, 2026.
Dependent Undergraduate Students
| Freshman 0–30 Credits | Sophomore 31–62 Credits | Junior 63–96 Credits | Senior 97+ Credits | Aggregate Limit | |
| Stafford (Subsidized / Unsubsidized) | $3,500 | $4,500 | $5,500 | $5,500 | $23,000 |
| Additional Unsubsidized Stafford | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| Total Stafford | $5,500 | $6,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $31,000 |
Parent PLUS Loans
Annual and aggregate (lifetime) Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan limits are effective July 1, 2026. Legacy Provision: If a borrower has a Parent PLUS loan made before July 1, 2026, while the dependent student is enrolled in a credentialed program, the parent can continue to borrow under current loan limits for three (3) academic years or the remainder of their dependent student’s expected time to complete the program, whichever is less. Further guidance from the U.S. Department of Education is anticipated. Limits are as follows:
- Annual limit: $20,000 per dependent student. All parents (combined) may borrow $20,000 per year in Federal Direct PLUS loans on behalf of that dependent student
- Aggregate limit: $65,000 per dependent student (without regard to amounts forgiven, repaid, canceled or discharged).
Independent Undergraduate/Dependent Undergraduate Students with PLUS Denial
| Freshman 0–30 Credits | Sophomore 31–62 Credits | Junior 63–96 Credits | Senior 97+ Credits | Aggregate Limit | |
| Stafford (Subsidized / Unsubsidized) | $3,500 | $4,500 | $5,500 | $5,500 | $23,000 |
| Additional Unsubsidized Stafford | $6,000 | $6,000 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $34,500 |
| Total Stafford | $9,500 | $10,500 | $12,500 | $12,500 | $57,500 |
Graduate/Professional Students
| Unsubsidized Stafford * | $20,500 | $138,500 |
New Annual and Aggregate Loan Limits for New Borrowers AFTER June 30, 2026
Students who have not received a Direct Unsubsidized Loan disbursement before July 1, 2026 (“new borrowers”), will be subject to the following new Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits:
Annual and Aggregate* (lifetime) limits:
- Graduate: $20,500 annual; $100,000 aggregate
- Professional: $50,000 annual; $200,000 aggregate
- Combined graduate + professional borrowing: capped at $200,000
- A separate universal lifetime limit of $257,500 applies to all federal student loans (excluding Parent PLUS loans borrowed on your behalf)
- Note: Graduate PLUS Loans will NOT be available to new borrowers.
- Legacy Provision: Students who received an Unsubsidized Direct Loan and a Graduate PLUS Loan prior to July 1, 2026, and remain enrolled in the same program at New York Tech, can continue borrowing the current Unsubsidized Direct Loan amount of $20,500 and Graduate PLUS Loans up to the full cost of attendance until June 30, 2029 or program completion, whichever is sooner.
* Aggregate limits include Graduate PLUS loans
Proration of Loans Based on Full-Time or Part-Time Enrollment: Beginning July 1, 2026, new borrowers enrolled less than full-time will only be able to borrow a loan amount that is in direct proportion to the percent of full-time enrollment. Further guidance from the U.S. Department of Education is anticipated.
Federal Direct Loan Origination Fees and Interest Rates
| Loan Type | Date of Loan | Loan Fee | Interest Rate Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2025, but before July 1, 2026 |
| Undergraduate Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford | On or after 10/1/20 and before 10/1/25 | 1.057% | 6.39% |
| Graduate Direct Unsubsidized Loan | On or after 10/1/20 and before 10/1/25 | 1.057% | 7.94% |
| Direct PLUS Loans** (Parents, Grads, Professionals) | On or after 10/1/20 and before 10/1/25 | 4.228% | 8.94% |