Subsidized Loan Limitations (SULA)

As of July 1, 2013, federal limitations were implemented first-time borrowers taking out Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans defining a limit on the maximum period of time (measured in academic years) that a borrower can receive Direct Subsidized Loans. In general, a borrower may not receive Direct Subsidized Loans for more than 150% of the published length of their program. This is called the "maximum eligibility period".

The maximum eligibility period is based on the published length of a student’s current program. This means that the maximum eligibility period can change if a student changes programs. Also, if a borrower receives Direct Subsidized Loans for one program and then change to another program, the Direct Subsidized Loans they received for the earlier program will generally count against the new maximum eligibility period.