FAFSA covers graduate programs, but the rules are different from undergraduate aid
Yes, FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available to graduate students. However, the programs you can access, the amounts you can borrow, and how much of your costs the aid covers depend on what type of graduate degree you are pursuing and what type of aid you need. Graduate students cannot receive federal Pell Grants, which are reserved for undergraduates. The main aid available to graduate students through FAFSA is federal student loans — specifically Unsubsidized Direct Loans and Direct PLUS Loans for graduate students.
The application itself is the same form you would fill out as an undergraduate. You report your income, assets, and family information the same way. But the financial aid office at your graduate school will use that information differently when calculating how much aid you can receive. Graduate students are treated as independent for FAFSA purposes regardless of age or whether your parents claim you as a dependent, which usually means you do not have to report your parents' income or assets.
Key Takeaways
- Graduate students can borrow through the federal Direct Loan program but cannot receive Pell Grants, which are undergraduate-only aid.
- You are treated as independent on FAFSA for graduate school, so you typically do not report parental income or assets.
- Unsubsidized Direct Loans allow you to borrow up to $20,500 per year for most graduate programs, with higher limits for certain fields like medicine and law.
- Graduate PLUS Loans let you borrow additional amounts beyond the Direct Loan limit, but they require a credit check and have higher interest rates.
- Some graduate programs, particularly professional degrees, have different loan limits and rules than master's programs.
Types of federal loans available to graduate students
Unsubsidized Direct Loans are the main federal loan option for graduate students. The annual limit is $20,500 per year for most graduate programs. Unlike subsidized loans (which are not available to graduate students), interest accrues while you are in school, meaning the loan balance grows even before you start repaying. You do not have to make payments while enrolled at least half-time, but the unpaid interest gets added to your principal balance.
Direct PLUS Loans for graduate students allow you to borrow additional money beyond the $20,500 annual limit. There is no set cap on PLUS Loans — you can borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus any other aid you receive. However, PLUS Loans require a credit check, and if you have adverse credit history, you may be denied unless you find an endorser. Interest rates on PLUS Loans are higher than on Direct Loans, and fees are also higher.
Some graduate programs have higher annual borrowing limits. Medical students, dental students, and law students can borrow up to $40,500 per year in Unsubsidized Direct Loans. These higher limits reflect the longer duration and higher cost of these programs.
What FAFSA does not cover for graduate students
Graduate students cannot receive Federal Pell Grants, which provide assistance programs that does not need to be repaid. Pell Grants are limited to undergraduate students and some students in certain certificate programs. This is a significant difference from undergraduate aid packages, which often include a mix of grants and loans.
Graduate students also cannot receive Federal Work-Study through the standard FAFSA process, though some graduate schools offer their own work-study or assistantship programs funded separately. These are not part of the federal aid system and are offered directly by the school.
Graduate students do not have access to subsidized loans, where the federal government pays the interest while you are in school. All federal loans available to graduate students accrue interest from the moment they are disbursed.
How graduate school financial aid packages work
When you submit FAFSA as a graduate student, your school's financial aid office calculates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), now called the Student Aid Index (SAI). For graduate students, this calculation typically results in a higher SAI than it would for an undergraduate, because graduate students are independent and the formula does not include parental income.
The school then subtracts your SAI from the total cost of attendance to determine your financial need. Your aid package will usually consist of the loans you are offered — typically the $20,500 Unsubsidized Direct Loan as a starting point, with the option to borrow more through a PLUS Loan. Unlike undergraduate packages, graduate aid packages rarely include grants from the federal government.
Many graduate schools offer their own funding in the form of assistantships, scholarships, or tuition waivers. These are separate from FAFSA and come directly from the school or department. Your FAFSA results do not determine whether you receive these, though some schools use financial need as one factor in awarding them.
Loan limits for different types of graduate programs
| Program Type | Annual Unsubsidized Direct Loan Limit | Aggregate Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Master's degree programs | $20,500 | $138,500 |
| Doctoral programs (PhD, EdD) | $20,500 | $138,500 |
| Medical school | $40,500 | $224,000 |
| Law school | $40,500 | $138,500 |
| Dental school | $40,500 | $224,000 |
The aggregate limit is the total amount you can borrow across all your loans in a given program type, including any undergraduate loans you took out. Once you reach the aggregate limit, you cannot borrow more federal Direct Loans, though you may still be able to borrow a PLUS Loan.
How to report graduate school on FAFSA
When you fill out FAFSA, you will select your school from the school search tool and indicate that you are a graduate student. The form asks for your degree level — you will choose "graduate or professional" rather than "bachelor's" or "associate's." Make sure you select the correct school code, because some universities have multiple campuses or schools (for example, a law school separate from the main campus), and selecting the wrong one can delay your aid.
Submit your FAFSA as early as possible in the academic year you plan to enroll. Graduate programs often have rolling admissions and funding decisions, so earlier submission can affect both your admission decision and the aid package you receive. Your school's financial aid office will contact you after you enroll to confirm your enrollment status and disburse your loans.
Repayment plans and forgiveness for graduate loans
Graduate students have access to the same federal repayment plans as undergraduates, including Income-Driven Repayment plans. These plans base your monthly payment on your income rather than the loan balance, which can be helpful if you are starting a career with lower initial earnings. However, interest continues to accrue on unpaid balances, and the total amount you pay over time may be higher than under a standard 10-year plan.
Graduate students are also potentially may be able to access for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) if they work for a may have access to employer — typically government agencies or nonprofit organizations — and make 120 may have access to payments under an Income-Driven Repayment plan. The rules for PSLF are complex and have changed several times, so you should verify your may be able to access with your loan servicer before relying on forgiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use FAFSA to pay for a certificate or non-degree graduate program?
It depends on the program. FAFSA is available for graduate certificate programs that are part of a degree-granting institution and meet federal requirements. However, short-term certificates or programs at non-accredited schools do not may have access to. Contact your school's financial aid office to confirm whether your specific program is FAFSA-may be able to access before you apply.
Do I have to report my parents' income on FAFSA for graduate school?
No. Graduate students are treated as independent on FAFSA regardless of age or whether your parents claim you as a dependent. You report only your own income and assets. This usually results in a higher financial need calculation and more loan availability than if parental income were included.
What happens if I already have undergraduate loans and want to borrow for graduate school?
Your undergraduate and graduate loans are separate, but they count toward the same aggregate limit for Direct Loans. If you borrowed $50,000 as an undergraduate, you can borrow up to $88,500 more in a master's program (the $138,500 aggregate limit minus what you already owe). PLUS Loans have their own separate limits and do not count toward the Direct Loan aggregate.
Can I get a grant or scholarship through FAFSA for graduate school?
Federal grants like the Pell Grant are not available to graduate students. However, your school may offer its own scholarships, assistantships, or tuition waivers funded separately from FAFSA. These are awarded by the school or department directly and do not appear on your FAFSA results, though some schools consider financial need when making these decisions.
What if I am attending graduate school part-time?
You can still use FAFSA, but you must be enrolled at least half-time to may have access to for federal loans. If you are enrolled less than half-time, you are not may be able to access for Direct Loans or PLUS Loans. Check with your school's financial aid office about what "half-time" means for your specific program, as it varies by school and degree type.