Step 1 of 4
25%
Step 1
What is your current education status?
Are you currently enrolled, or planning to enroll?
Your answer determines which set of rules applies to you — the rules changed significantly on July 1, 2026.
Step 2
Have you borrowed federal student loans before?
What types of programs have you borrowed federal loans for in the past?
This affects your aggregate loan limits. The new lifetime cap of $257,500 counts everything you've ever borrowed, including undergraduate loans.
Step 3
What degree are you pursuing?
Search for your degree or field of study
Type your degree name, program type, or credential (e.g. "M.D.", "MBA", "nursing", "law"). The wizard will tell you whether it qualifies as "professional" or "graduate" under the new rules.
Selected Degree
Step 4
A few numbers to calculate your remaining capacity
Enter what you know — leave blank if you're not sure
All fields are optional. The more you fill in, the more precise your results. Amounts in dollars.
Your Existing Federal Loan Debt
Your Upcoming Program
Your Federal Borrowing Limits (Effective July 1, 2026)
Lifetime Maximum — The Hard Cap That Never Resets
These calculations are based on P.L. 119-21 and CRS Report R48768 as of May 2026. Loan limits, degree classifications, and repayment rules may change as final regulations are published. Always verify with your school's financial aid office before making enrollment or borrowing decisions. This tool does not constitute financial or legal advice.