Loans

Student loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid. Federal loans typically offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Your eligibility is determined through the FAFSA. Get more information on Federal Loan programs.

Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan

The Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan is awarded on the basis of a student's financial need and other specific eligibility requirements. The federal government does not charge interest on these loans while borrowers are enrolled in school at least half-time, during a six-month grace period, or during authorized periods of deferment. Payments are not required while borrowers are enrolled in school at least half-time, during a six-month grace period, or during authorized periods of deferment. Students apply for this loan through the FAFSA. This loan is subject to an origination fee that is set by the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is not based on a student's financial need, but students must also meet specific eligibility requirements. Interest is charged throughout the life of the loan. The borrower may choose to pay the interest charged on the loan or allow the interest to be capitalized (added to the loan principal). Payments are not required while borrowers are enrolled in school at least half-time, during a six-month grace period, or during authorized periods of deferment. Students apply for this loan through the FAFSA. This loan is subject to an origination fee that is set by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan for an undergraduate student is not based on financial need and is limited to a parent borrower for a dependent student. A parent is currently defined as a person's natural or adoptive mother or father, step-parent, or legal guardian. The annual limit is equal to the student's cost of attendance, as defined by LSU, minus any other financial aid the student is receiving. Parents are required to pass a credit check and meet eligibility requirements. Students apply for this loan through the FAFSA, as well as through an additional application. This loan is subject to an origination fee that is set by the U.S. Department of Education.

Parent Plus Loan FAQs

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan for a graduate student is not based on financial need and is limited to a graduate/professional student. The annual limit is equal to the student's cost of attendance, as defined by LSU, minus any other financial aid the student is receiving. Students are required to pass a credit check and meet eligibility requirements. Students apply for this loan through the FAFSA, as well as through an additional application. This loan is subject to an origination fee that is set by the U.S. Department of Education.

Graduate Plus Loan FAQs

Private Loans

Private loans are available to students who are not eligible for federal financial aid or who need additional funds to meet educational expenses; however, Federal Title IV funds may be more favorable than private loans.

Private loans are expensive and should only be borrowed when all other resources, such as Stafford or PLUS loans, have been exhausted. These loans do not offer the same benefits as Federal Financial Aid and are subject to higher interest rates because they are not guaranteed by the federal government. Since this type of loan is based on credit history, it may require a cosigner.

The loan limit represents the total of all subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans a student may borrow at each level of study. If the total loan amount a student receives over the course of their education reaches the aggregate (lifetime) loan limit, they are not eligible to receive additional loans

Undergraduate Students

Classification Dependent Students (not including students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans) Independent Students (and dependent students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)
First-Year Annual Loan Limit

$5,500 total

$3,500 or less in subsidized loans 

$9,500 total

$3,500 or less in subsidized loans
Second-Year Annual Loan Limit

$6,500 total

$4,500 or less in subsidized loans

$10,500 total

$4,500 or less in subsidized loans
Third-Year and Beyond Annual Loan Limit

$7,500 total

$5,500 or less in subsidized loans

$12,500 total

$5,500 or less in subsidized loans
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Aggregate Loan Limit

$31,000 total

$23,000 or less in subsidized loans

$57,500 total

$23,000 or less in subsidized loans

 

Graduate Students

Classification Annual Loan Limit Aggregate Loan Limit
Graduate or Professional Student $20,500 (unsubsidized only) $138,500
Veterinary Medicine Student $40,500 (unsubsidized only) $224,000
Doctor of Clinical Psychology Student $33,000 (unsubsidized only) $224,000

A loan period is the academic period of enrollment a federal student loan is intended for, certified, and can be disbursed.

Academic Level Semester 2025-2026 Dates
Law Student Summer, Fall, Spring 06/03/25 - 05/08/26
Law Student Summer  06/03/25 - 07/18/25
Law Student Summer and Fall 06/03/25 - 12/12/25
Law Student Fall  08/18/25 - 12/12/25
Law Student Fall and Spring 08/18/25 - 05/08/26
Law Student Spring Only 01/12/26 - 05/08/26
Veterinary Medicine Student Summer, Fall, Spring 05/05/25 - 05/09/26
Veterinary Medicine Student Summer  05/05/25 - 08/08/25
Veterinary Medicine Student Summer and Fall 05/05/25 - 12/13/25
Veterinary Medicine Student Fall  08/11/25 - 12/13/25
Veterinary Medicine Student Fall and Spring 08/11/25 - 05/09/26
Veterinary Medicine Student Spring  01/05/26 - 05/09-26
Undergraduate or Graduate Student Summer, Fall, Spring 05/27/25 - 05/09/26
Undergraduate or Graduate Student Summer  05/27/25 - 08/11/25
Undergraduate or Graduate Student First Summer (Session B) 05/27/25 - 06/30/25
Undergraduate or Graduate Student Second Summer (Session C) 07/07/25 - 08/11/25
Undergraduate or Graduate Student Summer & Fall 05/27/25 - 12/13/25
Undergraduate or Graduate Student Fall  08/25/25 - 12/13/25
Undergraduate or Graduate Student Fall & Spring 08/25/25 - 05/09/26
Undergraduate or Graduate Student Spring  01/12/26 - 05/09/26
LSU Online Student Term 1, Term 2, and Term 3 05/26/25 - 05/04/26
LSU Online Student Term 1 (First Summer Module and Second Summer Module) 05/26/25 - 08/11/25
LSU Online Student Term 2 (First Fall Module and Second Fall Module) 08/25/25 - 12/08/25
LSU Online Student Term 3 (First Spring Module and Second Spring Module) 01/23/26 - 05/04/26
Funds will be disbursed approximately 3 business days after the start of the academic period.