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Professional degree list last updated · See the tracker

Grad Loan GapKnow your gap. Fill it. Gap calculator

Loan Limits by Profession

Pick your program to see where it stands on the professional degree list, the federal limit that applies, a typical cost of attendance and the gap left to cover. Each page ends with your options in order, from scholarships to private loans.

MD Medicine $50,000/yr Professional DDS Dentistry $50,000/yr Professional PharmD Pharmacy $50,000/yr Professional DVM Veterinary Medicine $50,000/yr Professional JD Law $50,000/yr Professional OD Optometry $50,000/yr Professional PA Physician Assistant $50,000/yr Professional DPT Physical Therapy $50,000/yr Professional OTD Occupational Therapy $50,000/yr Professional AuD Audiology $50,000/yr Professional SLP Speech-Language Pathology $50,000/yr Professional PsyD Clinical Psychology $50,000/yr Professional NP Nurse Practitioner $50,000/yr Contested DNP Doctor of Nursing Practice $50,000/yr Contested CRNA Nurse Anesthesia $50,000/yr Contested MSW Social Work $20,500/yr Graduate MPH Public Health $20,500/yr Graduate MBA Business $20,500/yr Graduate

How to read the status labels

  • Professional. On FSA’s interim professional degree list. Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans cap at $50,000 a year and $200,000 in total.
  • Graduate. Not on the list. The cap is $20,500 a year and $100,000 in total.
  • Contested. On the interim list, but the classification is being litigated. Plan for both limits until the courts decide.

Status can change after a court order or a new FSA announcement. The professional degree tracker shows every change with its date and source.