What is the maximum I can borrow in federal student loans for undergrad?

Federal Direct Loans have annual and aggregate limits set by the Department of Education. Dependent undergraduates can borrow a capped amount each year that rises from freshman to junior-plus years, with only a portion allowed to be subsidized. Independent students (and dependent students whose parents are denied a PLUS loan) can borrow more in unsubsidized loans. There is also a lifetime aggregate cap on undergraduate borrowing. These figures are published at studentaid.gov and can change with legislation, so verify the current numbers there. If college costs exceed these limits, families turn to Parent PLUS loans or private loans, both of which are more expensive and carry fewer protections. Borrowing only what you truly need, and exhausting subsidized loans first, keeps long-term interest costs down.