Announcements

Unlock Every Dollar!

Good news! Summer financial aid applications are now open in your myFinances tab.

Don’t forget to submit your 2026–27 FAFSA as you get ready for the new academic year. Need help? Book an appointment with our financial aid advisors!

Schedule an Appt Complete the FAFSA form

Policy updates for undergraduate and graduate students

Changes to federal financial aid eligibility and direct loan programs are coming as of July 1, 2026. The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is closely monitoring the changes and their implementation.

For more information about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), also known as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, visit: One Big Beautiful Bill Act Updates | Federal Student Aid

*Information is contingent and subject to change. Wichita State University's Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will update this page as guidance becomes available.

Undergraduates

Parent PLUS Loan – New borrowers as of July 1, 2026

Annual borrowing limit set at $20,000 per student.
Aggregate limit will be imposed. Lifetime borrowing cap set at $65,000 per student.
View information for legacy PLUS borrowers.

Direct student loans – All borrowers

Loan amounts will be reduced for students enrolled less than full-time.
- Undergraduate students enrolled in less than 12 hours will receive a reduced amount of federal loan offers.
- Graduate students enrolled in less than nine hours will receive a reduced loan offer.
Students who withdraw from classes during the semester may have their loans adjusted and may be required to immediately repay a portion of their federal loan funds based on their reduced enrollment level.

Pell Grant eligibility – All students

Students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) equal to or greater than twice the maximum Pell Grant amount will no longer qualify for Pell Grants for the academic year.
- The net worth of certain family farms and small businesses will be excluded from SAI calculations.
Students whose scholarships or grants fully cover their Cost of Attendance (COA) will have their aid reduced so total aid does not exceed COA.
Foreign income will now be included in Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) when determining Pell Grant eligibility.

Graduates and professionals

Graduate PLUS Loan

Will no longer be available to new borrowers starting July 1, 2026.
View information for legacy PLUS borrowers.

Direct unsubsidized loans

Annual limit remains $20,500, with a lifetime maximum of $100,000.

Professional student borrowing (At WSU, only students enrolled in Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program are considered professional level.)

Annual borrowing limit set at $50,000, with a lifetime maximum of $200,000.

Direct student loans

Loan amounts will be reduced for students enrolled less than full-time.

Interim exceptions for Parent PLUS and Graduate PLUS borrowers*

Parent PLUS Loan borrowers – Must have a direct loan disbursed by June 22, 2026

Current borrowers may continue accessing Parent PLUS Loan amounts up to their eligible dependent student’s Cost of Attendance until the earlier of:
- The end of the dependent student’s published program completion date, or
- Completion of the degree program, or
- Withdraw from a term, or
- Three academic years.

Graduate PLUS Loan borrowers – Must have a direct loan disbursed by June 22, 2026

Current borrowers may continue accessing Graduate PLUS Loans until the earlier of:
- The end of the student's published program completion date, or
- Completion of the degree program, or
- Withdraw from a term, or
- Three academic years.

*For more information about eligibility for interim exceptions: interim exceptions

Next steps

Students and families with questions can contact Wichita State’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for personalized assistance.

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships encourages students to meet with their advisors to get enrolled and finalize their fall 2026 semester schedules by the priority date of July 1 so they can receive the correct financial aid offers.

Contact Financial Aid Undergraduate advising Graduate advising Get enrolled