Your gap Enter your numbers Year by year Year To borrow Federal Private Rules
The new federal cap covers less than half a year
Per-year amounts. New dental students can borrow at most $50,000 a year in federal loans from July 1, 2026.
New federal cap: $50k a year
Median first-year cost of attendance (60 schools, in-state) $108k
Average federal borrowing per dental borrower, 2024–25 $95k
Sources: each school’s published cost of attendance (our study, Sep 2026); ADA Health Policy Institute; RISE final rule.
How this works, and what it leaves out New students: Direct Unsubsidized loans only, up to $50,000 a year and $200,000 in total (lifetime federal cap $257,500). Grad PLUS closed to new borrowers on July 1, 2026. Current students who enrolled and got a Direct Loan for the program before July 1, 2026 keep the old limits for the lesser of three academic years or the time left in the program. Old limits are shown as covering your full cost. Interest: 8.07% fixed on federal loans (2026–27), simple interest from each year’s disbursement through a six-month grace period. Private loans use the example APR you set. Real loans vary by year and lender. Federal loans also carry a 1.057% origination fee, taken from each disbursement. Every federal student loan you owe counts toward the $257,500 lifetime cap, including Grad PLUS taken under the old limits once they end. It doesn’t model less-than-full-time enrollment, which lowers the federal limit, or rate changes in later years. Rules as of Sep 26, 2026. General education, not advice for your situation. Some links on this page pay us when you check a rate or sign up. It costs you nothing and never changes our rankings. How we make money .
Private in-school loan rates Rates as of Sep 26, 2026 Lender Fixed APR Variable APR Minimum Check your rate Credible Marketplace: compares several lenders with one soft credit check 1.94–17.99% — — Check your rate Earnest Up to 100% of school-certified cost from 1.99% — — Check your rate Sallie Mae (dental school loan) Up to 100% of cost, plus up to $30,000 for residency and relocation 2.08–14.98% 3.75–14.47% $1,000 Lender site Ascent Up to $400,000 total for graduate study; residency deferment available 2.69–17.01% 3.64–16.10% $2,001 Check your rate SoFi General graduate loan rates 2.99–14.83% 4.64–15.86% — Check your rate College Ave Dental school loan, up to cost of attendance minus other aid 3.19–15.99% 3.89–15.99% $1,000 Check your rate
APRs are the ranges each lender advertised on its own site when we checked, and most include an autopay discount. Your rate depends on your credit, income and term, and variable rates can rise. These are not offers. Checking your rate with these lenders uses a soft credit pull. Sorted by lowest advertised fixed APR; payouts never change the order. How we rank lenders .
Private loans don’t qualify for RAP, PSLF or federal forgiveness. Borrow federal first, up to the cap, then compare private lenders.