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Financial Aid

Federal Loan Maximums

Loans are a common way for students to finance their education. UndergraduateÌýFederal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan maximums adjust as a student progresses toward their degree and are different depending on the student's dependencyÌýstatus.Ìý


Subsidized v. Unsubsidized

Eligibility is splitÌýbetween twoÌýversions of the same student loan.ÌýThe titleÌýdenotes if the government is subsidizing (paying) theÌýinterestÌýon students' behalf while they are enrolled.

Unsubsidized loans are thereforeÌýinterest-bearingÌýwhile the student is enrolled. The student can elect to make interest-only payments while in school or allow the interest to capitalize onto the principal (resulting in being charged interest-on-interest when in repayment). Arrangements for paying interest only while enrolled can be made with your loan servicer.


Annual Loan Amounts

The chartÌýbelow illustrates current maximum annual eligibility that is based on the student's current class level. Figures are maximum award amounts, andÌýfeesÌýare taken out prior to disbursement on loan amount borrowed.

Maximum awards may also be limited by theÌýbudgeted cost of educationÌýand other aid awarded the student.

Dependent student annual loan limits.

Dependent Students
(except in cases of Parent PLUS denial)

Base Award1

Additional
Unsub
Eligibility

Ìý°ä³Ü°ù°ù±ð²Ô³Ù
Combined Maximum

FreshmanÌý(up to 30 semester hours)

$3,500

$2,000

$5,500

SophomoreÌý(30-59 semester hours)2

$4,500

$2,000

$6,500

Junior or SeniorÌý(60+ semester hours)

$5,500

$2,000

$7,500

Independent student ( and dependent student with a Parent PLUS denial) annual loan limits.

IndependentÌý Students
(& Dependent Students with aÌýParent PLUS denial)

Base Award1

Additional
Unsub Eligibility

Current
Combined Maximum

FreshmanÌý(up to 30 semester hours)

$3,500

$6,000

$9,500

SophomoreÌý(30-59 semester hours)2

$4,500

$6,000

$10,500

Junior or SeniorÌý(60+ semester hours)

$5,500

$7,000

$12,500

Graduate StudentÌý(as classified by academic program as long as 72 semester hours as an undergraduate are completed)

$8,5003

$12,000

$20,5004

  1. Subsidized (interest-free for the student while in school) loan, unsubsidized (interest-bearing) loan,Ìýor a combination of both based on eligibility determined by financial need.
  2. Students in associate degree programs cannot be classified higher than sophomore.
  3. Beginning July 1, 2012, graduate and professional students will no longer be eligible for in-school subsidy; the maximum $20,500 in borrowing will be made available to students in unsubsidized (interest-bearing while in school) loans based on eligibility.
  4. Pharmacy students are eligible for an annual maximum of $33,000 if 9 months and $37,167 if 12 months.

Loan funding is also influenced by your attendance. Students who attend year-round (particularlyÌýco-opÌýstudents) should be aware ofÌýlimited summer optionsÌýand the possible need to reserve some loan funds for summer.


Reviewing Eligibility & Increasing the Loan

Loan awards are made using the best information on file at the time of awarding to project your appropriate class level and loan amount.

Once you haveÌýacceptedÌýany portion of your loan, your financial aid award offered amount will thenÌýreflect your accepted amount. Students who decline a portion of their loan may later ask to have their loan increased/reinstated if theyÌýremain eligible for the loan.

Undergraduate students who review theirÌýfinancial aid awardÌýand find their Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan combined amount is less than the "Current Combined Maximum" on the chart or who change class level mid-year may be eligible for additional funding.ÌýAn exception would be for students whose total aid package has reached theÌýbudgeted cost of education.

StudentsÌýmay be ableÌýto increase their loans within the aboveÌýdescribed limits if they did not accept their full annual amount or they increase class level mid-year.Ìý ConsultÌýEnrollment Services (enrollmentservices@uc.edu; 513-556-1000; campus locations) to have eligibility evaluated.

Loan increases, when a student is deemed eligible,Ìýwill appear as part of theÌýaward packageÌýwithinÌý5 business days. Please do not make multiple requests within a week's timeframe.


Aggregate Loan Limits

In addition to the above annual limits, students are limited in what they can borrow over their educational lifetime. The following chart details the federal limits to Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans.

Maximum lifetime borrowing limit based on dependency or academic program.

Ìý

Subsidized
Aggregate Limit

Unsubsidized1
Aggregate Limit

Combined
Aggregate Limit

DependentÌýUndergraduate Student

$23,000

$8,000

$31,000

Independent Undergraduate StudentÌý(or Dependent Students with a currentÌýParent PLUS denial)

$23,000

$34,500

$57,500

Graduate Student

$65,500

$73,000

$138,5002

  1. Or the combined aggregate limit based on Subsidized eligibility determined by financial need.
  2. Pharmacy Pharm D aggregate limit is $224,000.

Eligibility in these loan programs is based on official university classification and ceases when limits are met even if a student has not completed their academic program. Of particular concern are students who attend part-time but take out their full, annual loan eligibility. They can more easily borrow their lifetime limit in loans prior to completing their degree.

Limits are also cumulative and do not begin anew with a new degree program.

Students can check on their borrowing history by reviewing information contained within their FAFSA Submission Summary sent to you when you complete the FAFSA each year or by viewing your loan account information at the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) accessed via theÌý.

Consider utilizing only part of your loan eligibility. By not fully borrowing, you save on yourÌýcollege debt.

Students goingÌýpart-timeÌýor onÌýco-opÌýshould strongly consider reducing reliance on loans with lowerÌýtuition costsÌýso as not to use up their maximum aggregate amounts as quickly. Just because it is offered, does not mean you need to borrow it.

As well, think about reserving untapped loans as a rainy day fund. As long as you are continually enrolled fall-spring, you can request an increase at any time during the academic year should a financial emergency arise.

Students planning to attendÌýsummerÌýshould be aware ofÌýyear-round loan disbursementÌýrules.