ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ participates in the William D. Ford ÌýProgram. These loans are provided by the federal government and require you to first file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Direct Loan Program provides a simple way to obtain and repay student loans; the U.S. Department of Education is the lender and the loan funds are sent directly to ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´.
If you borrowed federal loans at a previous institution, you can combine those loans with the Federal Direct Loans under the Direct Consolidation Loan Program. Your academic year level and dependency status determines the maximum annual amount you may be eligible to borrow; the federal government also monitors loan aggregates for both undergraduate and graduate students.
What Kinds of Direct Loans are Available?
| Annual Maximum Limit (Federal Direct - Sub & Unsub) | Dependent Student | Independent Student |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,500 (No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans) | $9,500 (No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans) |
| Year 2 | $6,500 (No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans) | $10,500 (No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans) |
| Years 3, 4, & 5 | $7,500 (No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans) | $12,500 (No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans) |
| Graduate/Professional | n/a | $20,500 Unsubsidized funding per academic yearÌý |
| Aggregate Limits | Dependent StudentÌý | Independent StudentÌý |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent Undergraduate | $31,000 (No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans) | n/a |
| Independent Undergraduate | n/a | $57,500 (No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans) |
| Graduate | n/a | $138,500Ìý (No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans) |
| Aggregate Limits | Dependent StudentÌý | Independent StudentÌý |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent Undergraduate | $31,000 (No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans) | n/a |
| Independent Undergraduate | n/a | $57,500 (No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans) |
| Graduate | n/a | $100,000 (includes all Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans received for graduate study) |
$257,500 includes Subsidized loans, Unsubsidized loans and PLUS loans for graduate or professional students regardless of any amount paid or discharged.Ìý
Students who borrowed federal student loans prior to July 1, 2026 may remain eligible for previous federal borrowing provisions, depending on federal grandfathering criteria and continued enrollment status.
Legacy borrowers may:
Because eligibility may vary based on individual borrowing history and enrollment status, students with questions are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office directly.Ìý
If you receive a federal student loan, you will be required to repay that loan with interest. It is important that you understand how interest is calculated and the fees associated with your loan. Both of these factors will impact the amount you will be required to repay. A federal student loan is a loan funded by the federal government to help pay for your education. A federal student loan is borrowed money you must repay with interest. Please see additional
If you intend to borrow a federal student Subsidized or Unsubsidized Direct Loan you must complete the following two required federal loan documents:
Federal student loan annual limits will be reduced for students enrolled less than-full-time beginning with the Summer 2026 term. The reduction is based on enrollment across the academic year.Ìý
Students who enroll less than full-time, or who drop below full-time enrollment, will now have their annual federal student loan limit reduced in proportion to their enrollment for theÌýacademic year.ÌýFor example, if full-time enrollment for undergraduates is 24 credit hours for the academic year (fall/spring) and a student enrolls in 18 credit hours for the academic year, the student would be eligible for 75% of the applicable annual loan limit:Ìý18 ÷ 24 = 75%.ÌýThis calculation is based on enrollment for theÌýacademic year, not separately by term.
Federal loans affected by this requirement include:
Federal Parent PLUS Loans are not subject to the less-than-full-time annual loan limit reduction.
Each applicable loan type is reduced separately based on the student’s enrollment status.
To learn how this affects your Federal Direct Loan eligibility please refer to our policies and contact our office to speak with an advisor regarding your specific aid package.Ìý
All federal loan borrowers are required to complete prior to graduation, leave of absence, or withdrawal from school. The purpose of the exit counseling is to inform borrowers of the provisions of the loan(s) as well as their rights and responsibilities now that the loan(s) will be in another status.
Students who have additional questions about the Exit Counseling process should contact Office of Financial Aid at 585-389-2310 or finaid@naz.edu.
Graduate students are eligible to borrow as long as the following conditions are met:
Upon receipt of a FAFSA, the ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Financial Aid Office will automatically offer you the Unsubsidized Direct Loan.