Federal Loan Changes
2026-2027 Financial Aid Changes Coming
Undergraduate Students:
Pell Grant:
- Eligibility – Students who receive non-federal scholarships and grants that cover their full cost of attendance are not eligible for a Pell Grant
Federal Direct Subsidized /Unsubsidized Loans:
- Annual Loan Limits – No Change
- Schedule of Reductions – Loan amounts will be adjusted based on enrollment level
- Loan amounts may adjust in future semesters if courses are dropped or withdrawn below full-time status (12 hours) after aid is disbursed
- Ex: Undergraduate loans are awarded for 12 hours in the fall and spring,
- Fall loan payout is at 12 hours; a 3-hour course is dropped, leaving an overpayment of 3 hours
- Spring loan payout will be reduced by the 3-hour amount
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students:
- Annual Loan Limits – $20,000 per year, per student
- Lifetime Limits - $65,000 per student
Graduate Students:
- Annual Loan Limits – $20,500
- Lifetime Loan Limits - $100,000*
- Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans – Program has been discontinued
- Schedule of Reduction– Loan amounts will be adjusted based on enrollment level
- Loan amounts may adjust in future semesters if courses are dropped or withdrawn below full-time status (9 hours in the fall and spring, 6 hours in the summer) after aid is disbursed
- Ex: Loans are awarded for 9 hours in the fall and spring,
- Fall loan payout is for 9 hours; a 3-hour course is dropped, leaving an overpayment of 3 hours
- Spring loan payout will be reduced by the 3-hour amount, regardless of total hours
*Exception: remaining enrolled in the same program and completing within the expected time to graduate
*Beginning July 1, 2026, there is a lifetime maximum aggregate loan limit of $257,500 for all students that includes all loan types for all academic levels, including Graduate PLUS Loans (does not include Parent PLUS loans that parents took out on the student’s behalf)
Additional Info:
*Aid will be awarded for fall, spring, and summer based on the enrollment plans that the student provides on the financial aid data form
*Financial aid award offers will begin to be emailed to your FHSU email in the coming weeks and will be revised beginning in July for students who are less than full-time, once the final rules are provided to financial aid offices
What do you need to do:
- Register for the courses you can successfully Avoid taking more classes than you can handle just to increase your loan funds. If you have any questions about the feasibility of a heavier course load, please consult your advisor.
- Contact Financial Aid if your enrollment plans change.
- Complete your FAFSA if you haven’t already.
- When you receive your award offer, review it for questions.
- Build your budget so you have a plan to be financially successful
- Check your FHSU email for changes to award offers in July and August.
We are here to help! Email us at finaid@fhsu.edu with questions.
Nope! Your Spring aid is safe. The new loan adjustments apply only if you drop below full-time status (12 hours for undergrads). Because 12 hours is still considered full-time, your loan amounts are untouched, and your Spring semester will be fully funded as planned.
If your financial aid has disbursed, future disbursements may be reduced if you return within the same award year. All other eligibility requirements remain the same regarding repayment and suspension.
Every student’s situation is unique. We recommend you contact our office at finaid@fhsu.edu so we can address your specific situation.
Your financial aid status, award offers and tasks can be viewed in Workday on your myFHSU applet under the Financials tab.
If financial aid is adjusted students are notified at their FHSU email address, through Workday notifications and by monitoring their Financials tab in the Workday myFHSU applet.
The Financial Assistance Team is here to help! All staff are available for walk-in visits at Picken Hall Room 202. If you have questions or would like to set up an appointment for a callback, email us at finaid@fhsu.edu.
Sure, as long as you have given them permission through Friends and Family. Follow the instructions to set this up.