How much can I borrow?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into US law in July 2025, and will result in changes to federal student aid for those studying in the 2026/27 academic year onwards. The information below is subject to change based on any further updates from the US Department of Education.
The type of loan and the amount you may be able to borrow is dependent on when you enrolled in your programme, and whether you are a graduate or undergraduate student. Information will be provided on this page and will be included in your 2026/2027 financial aid package.
The below table shows what all students are normally able to borrow:
Direct Loan Yearly Amounts
|
Year of course |
Subsidised Loan |
Unsubsidised Loan |
Total Loan |
|
Dependent Undergraduate |
|
|
|
|
1st Year |
$3,500 |
$2,000 |
$5,500 |
|
2nd year |
$4,500 |
$2,000 |
$6,500 |
|
3rd year |
$5,500 |
$2,000 |
$7,500 |
|
Independent Undergraduate |
|
|
|
|
1st year |
$3,500 |
$6,000 |
$9,500 |
|
2nd year |
$4,500 |
$6,000 |
$10,500 |
|
3rd year |
$5,500 |
$7,000 |
$12,500 |
|
Postgraduate – all years |
$20,500 |
$20,500 |
Students who began their current programme before 1st July 2026 are eligible for the following:
Undergraduate - Parent PLUS - the Parent PLUS loan is credit-based for Parents of dependant undergraduate students who wish to take out loans in their names to help with their children's education.
Postgraduate - Grad PLUS - postgraduate students are able to take out a Grad PLUS loan which is credit based.
Under The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, students who began their current programme after 1st July 2026 are eligible for the following:
Undergraduate - Parent PLUS - the Parent PLUS loan is credit-based for Parents of dependant undergraduate students who wish to take out loans in their names to help with their children's education. For students starting their programme on 1 July 2026 or after, Parent PLUS loans will be capped at $20,000 per student per year, with a $65,000 lifetime limit per dependent student.
Postgraduate - Grad PLUS loans will be phased out beginning on 01 July 2026; beginning on that date, new Grad PLUS loans will not be available for new borrowers or those on new programmes.
Students who are unable to make up their whole cost of attendance through Federal Loans will need to look at other sources of funding
