The freshman year max Direct Loan for an independent student is $9500. Only $3500 can be subsidized.
So your student could get $6000 in UNsubsidzed direct loans plus $3500 in Subsidized direct loans…total…$9500.
If they don’t have financial need…the full $9500 could be unsubsidized for an independent freshman student.
If an independent student didn’t receive that amount…and needs it, call the financial aid office. This is something available to them UNLESS it would make their aid more than the cost of attendance minus EFC.
ETA…you don’t ever have to,accept the full loan amounts if you don’t want to. You can accept part only.