Loans
Federal Direct Loans are part of the Title IV federal financial aid program and are subject to all federal eligibility requirements. To qualify, students must be actively enrolled in at least six financial aid-eligible credits at Howard Community College (HCC) at the time of disbursement.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 award year, Federal Direct Student Loan amounts for students enrolled less than full-time (but at least half-time) will be prorated based on the student’s reported enrollment status. Students must still be enrolled in a minimum of six aid-eligible credits at the time of disbursement to receive loan funds.
While the FAFSA is the only required application to apply for a Federal Direct Loan, HCC does not automatically include loans in a student’s financial aid offer. Students who wish to borrow must complete and submit a Loan Request Form and specify the amount they wish to borrow.
Grade Level Classification:
Annual Loan Limits (Subject to proration based on enrollment):
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Grade 01 borrowers: Up to $3,500 (base loan amount)
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Grade 02 borrowers: Up to $4,500 (base loan amount)
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Additional Unsubsidized Loan Eligibility (Subject to proration based on enrollment):
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Dependent students: Up to $2,000
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Independent students: Up to $6,000
One-term only loan limits (Subject to proration based on enrollment):
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Grade 01 borrowers: Up to $1,750 (base loan amount)
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Grade 02 borrowers: Up to $2,250 (base loan amount)
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Additional Unsubsidized Loan Eligibility (Subject to proration based on enrollment):
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Dependent students: Up to $1,000
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Independent students: Up to $3,000
Important Notes:
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Annual and aggregate loan limits apply.
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Interest rates are fixed and determined based on the loan disbursement date (subject to change by Congress).
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Students in certain short-term certificate programs may not be eligible for the full loan amount due to program length. Please contact Financial Aid Services for more information.
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First-time loan borrowers at HCC are required to complete federal loan entrance counseling.
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Transfer students must cancel any remaining loan disbursements at their previous institution before requesting a loan at HCC.
For more information or to submit a loan request, please visit the Financial Aid section of the HCC website.
The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a Title IV federal aid program that allows parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow funds to help cover their child’s educational expenses. To qualify, the student must be enrolled at least half-time (6 or more financial aid-eligible credits) and meet general federal student aid requirements, including maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
Eligible parent borrowers must:
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Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
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Not be in default or owe a refund on any federal student aid
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Pass a credit check (adverse credit history may result in denial)
Beginning with the 2026-2027 award year, Parent PLUS loans are limited to a maximum of $20,000 per academic year per student.
Parent PLUS Loans are not need-based, and parents may borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus any other financial aid the student receives. The loan has a fixed interest rate, which is set annually by Congress.
To apply or learn more about current interest rates, visit studentaid.gov.
Dependent students whose parents have been denied a PLUS loan may be eligible for additional unsubsidized loan funds.
All originated Federal Direct Loans and Federal Direct PLUS Loans will be submitted to the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.