Loan Limits
The federal government sets limits on the amount of money a student can borrow. The College of Charleston will award a student who has submitted a FAFSA the maximum amount eligible under such limits. The annual limit applies to the most a student can borrow in one academic year, while the aggregate limit applies to the maximum a student can borrow in a lifetime. An annual subsidized loan amount cannot exceed the base amount.
| Grade in School | Annual Loan Limits | Aggregate Loan Limits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Amount | Additional Unsubsidized | Subsidized Limit | Overall Limit | |
| Undergraduate Dependent* | $ 23,000 | $ 31,000 | ||
| First Year | $ 3,500 | $ 2,000 | ||
| Second Year | $ 4,500 | $ 2,000 | ||
| Third Year and beyond | $ 5,500 | $ 2,000 | ||
| Undergraduate Independent | $ 23,000 | $ 57,500 | ||
| First Year | $ 3,500 | $ 6,000 | ||
| Second Year | $ 4,500 | $ 6,000 | ||
| Third Year and beyond | $ 5,500 | $ 7,000 | ||
| Graduate | $ 8,500 | $ 12,000 | $ 138,500 | |
*Undergraduate Dependent students whose parents are unable to borrow a PLUS loan will be eligible for the Undergraduate Independent loan limits.