CU Boulder participates in the Federal William D. Ford Direct Loan program (known as Direct or Stafford Loans). The lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. There are two types of Federal Direct Loans available for undergraduate students:

  • Subsidized loans are need-based and do not have interest accruing while you are in school or in deferment.
  • Unsubsidized loans may or may not be based on financial need and interest accrues while you are in school or in deferment.

Loan Features

  • Loan origination fee for both loans is 1.057%.
  • Repayment begins 6 months after you graduate, drop below half time, or withdraw. Learn more about managing repayment of your student loans.
  • Subsidized loans have a time-in-college loan limit.
  • Students graduating in December will have their Direct Loans pro-rated for fall. View pro-rated loan amounts below Undergraduate Students Who Are Graduating.
  • Loans must be processed by our office by the last day the student is enrolled in at least 6 credit hours.Ìý

Fixed Interest Rates

Date of First Disbursement Subsidized Unsubsidized
7/1/24 to 6/30/25 6.53% 6.53%
7/1/23 to 6/30/24 5.49% 5.49%
7/1/22 to 6/30/23 4.99% 4.99%

Loan Limits

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Annual loan limit

First-Year Students

$5,500
(Maximum of $3,500 can be subsidized)

Sophomore

$6,500
(Maximum of $4,500 can be subsidized)

Junior or Senior

$7,500
(Maximum of $5,500 can be subsidized)

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Annual loan limit

Independent First-Year Students

$9,500
(Maximum of $3,500 can be subsidized)

Independent Sophomore

$10,500
(Maximum of $4,500 can be subsidized)

Independent Junior or Senior

$12,500
(Maximum of $5,500 can be subsidized)

Graduate or Professional

$20,500

Lifetime Loan Limits

Dependent Undergraduate

$31,000
(up to $23,000 may be subsidized)

Independent Undergraduate

$57,500
(up to $23,000 may be subsidized)

Graduate or Professional

$138,500
(up to $65,500 may be subsidized)

How to Apply

  1. Complete
  2. Accept the loan online (view instructions)
  3. Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling online at

Note: Loans must be processed by our office by the last day the student is enrolled in at least 6 credit hours.

  1. Complete
  2. Accept the loan online (view instructions)

Note: Loans must be processed by our office by the last day the student is enrolled in at least 6 credit hours.