Yes, you can use FAFSA for graduate school, but the process and programs available differ significantly from undergraduate aid

FAFSA opens to graduate students, but you will not see the same grant and loan options that undergraduates use. The federal government does not offer Pell Grants or subsidized loans to graduate students. What remains available: unsubsidized federal loans, Graduate PLUS loans (which allow you to borrow larger amounts), and some work-study positions. Your school may also offer its own graduate scholarships or assistantships, which you discover through the school's financial aid office, not through FAFSA itself.

The FAFSA form itself is the same one you fill out, but your answers change because your income situation and dependency status may have shifted since undergraduate. Most graduate students are considered independent for FAFSA purposes, meaning your parents' income does not count — only your own. This often results in a lower Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which can make you look needier on paper and open access to larger federal loans.

Key Takeaways

  • Graduate students can borrow unsubsidized federal loans and Graduate PLUS loans through FAFSA, but Pell Grants and subsidized loans are not available.
  • Most graduate students are classified as independent on FAFSA, so your parents' income does not affect your aid package.
  • Your school's financial aid office controls graduate scholarships, assistantships, and tuition waivers — these do not appear on FAFSA but are often the largest source of graduate aid.
  • Graduate PLUS loans have no aggregate borrowing cap, but they carry higher interest rates and require a credit check.
  • You must complete FAFSA every year you are enrolled, even if your circumstances have not changed.

Federal loans available to graduate students

Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans are the primary federal loan option. For the 2024–2025 academic year, the annual limit is $20,500 per year, with a lifetime aggregate cap of $138,500 (including any undergraduate borrowing). Interest accrues while you are in school, meaning you owe more when you graduate than when you borrowed. You do not have to make payments while enrolled at least half-time, but interest still accumulates.

Graduate PLUS Loans allow you to borrow the full cost of attendance minus any other aid you receive. There is no annual cap — only the aggregate limit of $138,500 total across all federal loans. Graduate PLUS loans require a credit check, and if you have adverse credit history, you may need to find a creditworthy endorser or document extenuating circumstances. The interest rate is higher than Stafford loans (currently 8.5% for 2024–2025, though this changes annually), and origination fees apply.

Both loan types enter repayment six months after you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment. Income-driven repayment plans are available for both, which can lower your monthly payment if your income is low relative to your debt.

School-based aid often exceeds federal loans

Most graduate students receive more money from their school than from federal loans. Graduate assistantships (teaching, research, or administrative positions) typically include a tuition waiver plus a monthly stipend. Scholarships and fellowships funded by the school or external organizations do not require repayment. Tuition waivers eliminate part or all of your tuition bill. None of these appear on FAFSA — you discover them by contacting your school's graduate financial aid office or your department directly.

Many graduate programs, especially in STEM and research fields, fund most or all of their students through assistantships. If you are applying to graduate school, ask each program what percentage of students receive funding and what the typical package includes. This information is often more important than the FAFSA result, because it determines how much you actually owe.

How to complete FAFSA as a graduate student

Log into fafsa.gov and select your school year. You will answer questions about your income, assets, and household size. As a graduate student, you will almost certainly answer "No" to the dependency questions, which means you are independent and your parents' information is not required. If you are married, your spouse's income counts. If you have dependents, their information may be needed.

After you submit, your school receives your Student Aid Index (SAI) — the number that replaces the old EFC. Your school's financial aid office uses this to calculate how much federal loan money you can borrow. You do not receive a grant or scholarship offer from FAFSA itself; instead, your school sends you a financial aid package that lists loans, work-study, and any school-based aid you have been offered.

Complete FAFSA by your school's deadline, which varies by institution. Many schools have priority deadlines in February or March, though some accept FAFSA submissions through the summer. Missing the deadline does not disqualify you, but it may delay your aid package or reduce the amount of school-based aid available.

Graduate PLUS loans: when and why to use them

Graduate PLUS loans make sense when you have exhausted the $20,500 annual Stafford limit and still have uncovered costs. They are also useful if you want to avoid private student loans, which typically have fewer repayment options and less consumer protection. However, the higher interest rate (currently 8.5%) means you will pay more over time than with Stafford loans.

Before borrowing a Graduate PLUS loan, check whether your school offers additional assistantships, scholarships, or payment plans. Many schools allow you to spread tuition payments across the semester or year, which can reduce the amount you need to borrow. Some programs offer emergency funds or hardship grants for students facing unexpected costs.

If you are denied a Graduate PLUS loan due to adverse credit, you can appeal by providing a written explanation of the circumstances and finding an endorser with good credit. Your school's financial aid office can walk you through this process.

Repayment and forgiveness for graduate loans

Unsubsidized Stafford loans and Graduate PLUS loans both enter standard 10-year repayment six months after you leave school. You can switch to an income-driven plan (PAYE, REPAYE, IBR, or ICR) if your monthly payment would be unaffordable. Income-driven plans extend repayment to 20 or 25 years and calculate your payment based on your discretionary income.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is available if you work for a government agency or a nonprofit organization and make 120 may have access to payments under an income-driven plan. After 120 payments, the remaining balance is forgiven tax-free. Graduate loans are may be able to access for PSLF, so if you plan to work in public service, this may be a significant factor in your borrowing decision.

Private loans and Graduate PLUS loans do not have forgiveness programs. If you cannot repay, your only options are income-driven repayment (for Stafford loans) or forbearance or deferment (which pauses payments but does not eliminate the debt). Default on a federal loan triggers wage garnishment and loss of future aid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report my parents' income on FAFSA for graduate school?

No. Graduate students are almost always classified as independent, so you report only your own income and assets. If you are married, your spouse's income counts. Your parents' financial situation does not affect your federal aid may be able to access.

Can I get a Pell Grant as a graduate student?

No. Pell Grants are only for undergraduate students. Graduate students can borrow unsubsidized loans and Graduate PLUS loans, but grants from the federal government are not available. Your school may offer its own grants or scholarships to graduate students.

What if I already have undergraduate student loans?

Your undergraduate loans do not affect your graduate FAFSA or your ability to borrow graduate loans. However, your total federal loan debt across all levels cannot exceed $138,500 in aggregate. If you borrowed $80,000 as an undergraduate, you can borrow up to $58,500 as a graduate student.

Do graduate assistantships affect my FAFSA or federal loan amount?

No. Assistantship income is not reported on FAFSA and does not reduce your federal loan may be able to access. However, your school may count the assistantship as part of your financial aid package, which can reduce the amount of loans you need to borrow.

Can I use federal loans to pay for living expenses, not just tuition?

Yes. Federal loans can cover the full cost of attendance, which your school defines as tuition, fees, books, room and board, and living expenses. You borrow the total and receive the difference between that amount and your tuition bill as a disbursement to cover other costs.