Undergraduate Limits

Grade Level, Dependent Student, Independent Student*

Freshman (0-29 hours), $5,500, (no more than $3,500 subsidized), $9,500, (no more than $3,500 subsidized)

Sophomore (30-59 hours), $6,500, (no more than $4,500 subsidized), $10,500, (no more than $4,500 subsidized)

Junior/Senior (60+ hours), $7,500, (no more than $5,500 subsidized), $12,500, (no more than $5,500 subsidized)

Aggregate

(overall total amount you may borrow), $31,000, (no more than $23,000 subsidized), $57,500, (no more than $23,000 subsidized)

*For loan purposes, a student whose parent is denied a PLUS Loan is considered an independent student

The total amount of loans may not exceed the cost of attendance minus all other financial aid (grants, scholarships, and work study).

Graduate Limits

Annual: $20,500

Aggregate (Undergraduate + Graduate): $138,500

The total amount of loans may not exceed the cost of attendance minus all other financial aid.

Federal law sets the maximum interest rates and fees that may be charged for Direct Loans. Interest rates are set based on the date the first disbursement is made to your student account at Southeast.

Undergraduate Rates

Graduate Rates

Additionally, each unsubsidized loan has an origination fee that is withheld from the amount borrowed, slightly reducing the amount paid to your student account. For example, if you borrow $1,000 and the origination fee is 1%, you will only receive a payment toward your student bill of $990.00 ($1,000 - 1% ($10) = $990.00).

1. File a FAFSA
2. Once your financial aid eligibility is determined, the student will receive an award notification through their Southeast email account.  
3. Please visit the Southeast Portal to access the online award letter, as instructed. You may accept all or a portion of your loans. All terms and conditions of the loans should be read before accepting the awarded loan amounts.  
4. Requirements for the Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan: 
   • Entrance Counseling
     The online counseling session helps guide you in managing your student loans, both during and after college.  
   • Master Promissory Note
     The MPN is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s).

Exit counseling is required of student loan borrowers when the student drops below half-time enrollment, graduates or withdraws from the university. Exit counseling offers information and tools needed to manage student loan debt. It also helps students understand their rights, responsibilities, and obligations of paying off their debt. Visit the Federal Student Aid website to complete exit counseling.

Regardless of educational outcome and subsequent employability, repayment is required. The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) will provide a complete listing of each borrower's federal loans along with the contact information for your lender/servicer.  

Students are eligible for a 6-month grace period (if not previously used) that begins the day they either stop attending school (graduate) or drop to less than half time enrollment. Payment is not required during this grace period. Payments can be made at any time while in school or prior to the end of the grace period.  

There are several repayment plans designed to meet the many needs of individual borrowers. Your monthly payment will vary depending on the repayment plan you choose and the length of time set forth by the plan. For a detailed description of each repayment plan, visit the Repayment Plans and Calculators page.  

Under certain circumstances, you can receive a deferment or forbearance that allows you to temporarily postpone or reduce your federal student loan payments. Postponing or reducing your payments may help you avoid default. For a detailed description visit the Deferment and Forbearance page.