Cumulative debt limits are the total loan amounts allowed throughout a student's academic career. The amount must not exceed the total loan limits associated with the loan program. This type of amount can be determined by the student's lifestyle, personal details and their prospects upon leaving college. A student who aims for the highest form of qualifications and will then be capable of applying for a particularly high paying job may be granted a higher debt limit in comparison to a student whose prospects will not extend to a high paying job in particular. The loan should cover tuition fees and living expenses over the course of the student's college education. The cumulative debt limit should reflect these costs and the prospective future financial security of the student.

The loan providers may also take into account the financial information of a student's parents as a sort of guarantee. The cumulative debt limit should allow for a certain amount of unexpected expenditures also but should not be too high as a student is not guaranteed to earn a specific amount of money to repay a large loan. The performance of a student during an academic period can also affect the cumulative debt limit. If a student fails exams during a certain period, then the available loan amounts can become even more restricted.

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