Skip to main content

Maximum Limits for Pell Grant and Loans

There are limits on the amount of Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and Pell Grant funds you can receive in a given year and degree program.

Annual and Lifetime Loan Limits

Federal unsubsidized and subsidized loan limits are based on your dependency status and academic class level/student classification. Once you meet or exceed the amounts set by the government we cannot award any more federal loans to you.

Check your current loan balances on myBoiseState under “My Account” or log in with your FSA ID at the National Student Loan Data Center (NSLDS) website.

Type of StudentDependent StudentDependent StudentIndependent StudentIndependent Student
Academic StandingAnnual LimitLifetime Limit
Annual Limit
Lifetime Limit
Freshman
First Year Undergraduate		$5,500
(Max $3,500 in subsidized loans)		$31,000
(Max $23,000 in subsidized loans)		$9,500
(Max $3,500 in subsidized loans)		$57,500
(Max $23,000 in subsidized loans)
Sophomore
Second-Year Undergraduate		$6,500
(Max $4,500 in subsidized loans)		$31,000
(Max $23,000 in subsidized loans)		$10,500
(Max $4,500 in subsidized loans)		$57,500
(Max $23,000 in subsidized loans)
Junior / Senior
Second Undergraduate
Third Year and Beyond		$7,500
(Max $5,500 in subsidized loans)
$31,000
(Max $23,000 in subsidized loans)		$12,500
(Max $5,500 in subsidized loans)
$57,500
(Max $23,000 in subsidized loans)
Graduaten/an/a$20,500
(Unsubsidized Only)		$138,500
(Max $65,500 in subsidized loans. The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study)

Pell Grant Limits

Federal Pell Grants are awarded annually based on financial need, enrollment, and cost of attendance. Amounts can change yearly.