Put in the gap one year of college leaves after grants and scholarships. The numbers come from the federal rules, computed in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere and nobody will contact you.
How to read this
The student's federal Direct Loan is the first loan to take. It has the lowest rate, no credit check, and flexible repayment. The limit is set by law and by the year in school.
From July 1, 2026 a parent can borrow at most $20,000 a year and $65,000 in total per student in Parent PLUS. Award letters written before that date often list more.
Anything left after cash, the student loan and Parent PLUS at its cap cannot be covered with federal loans. That is the number to carry into an appeal, or into a different college choice.
Monthly payments shown are the standard ten-year plan after graduation, before any income-driven option. They are estimates with a range; the real rate is set each May.