Schedule of Loan Reductions

Federal Financial Aid Changes

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brings changes to 2026-2027 Federal Financial Aid. Visit our Announcements page for the latest updates related to Pell Grants and Federal Student Loans.

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Schedule of Loan Reductions

Beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year, federal loan amounts for students enrolled less than full-time will be reduced based on their enrollment level. Your loan eligibility will be determined by the number of credit hours in which you are enrolled and academically engaged. This federal requirement is called the Schedule of Reductions (SOR).

SOR applies to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and affects Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Graduate PLUS Loans. Parent PLUS Loans for dependent students are not affected by SOR.

Schedule of Reductions Calculation

Step 1: Calculate Enrollment Percentage

(Number of Credit Hours Enrolled ÷ Number of Credit Hours for Full-time status) x 100 = Reduced Annual Loan Limit Percentage*

*Percentage is rounded up to nearest whole number.

Step 2: Calculate the Maximum Annual Loan Eligibility

Reduced Annual Loan Limit Percentage x Annual Loan Maximum* for Grade Level = Reduced Annual Eligibility

*Annual maximum loan may vary based on actual eligibility and Cost of Attendance.

Examples:

Undergraduate Student

A dependent freshman undergraduate student enrolled in 9 credit hours each semester (18 credit hours for the academic year) would be eligible for up to 75% of the annual Federal Direct Loan limit. Since the annual loan limit for a dependent freshman is $5,500, the maximum annual loan eligibility would be $4,125.

Step 1: Calculate Enrollment Percentage

18 Enrolled Credit Hours ÷ 24 Credit Hours for Full-time status x 100 =75%

Step 2: Calculate the Maximum Annual Loan Eligibility

75% x $5,500 = $4,125 maximum annual loan

Graduate Student

A graduate student enrolled in 5 credit hours each semester (10 credit hours for the academic year) would be eligible for up to 56% of the annual Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan limit. Because full-time annual enrollment for a graduate student is 18 credit hours, the student's enrollment percentage is 55.56%, rounded to 56%. Based on the annual loan limit of $20,500, the maximum annual loan eligibility would be $11,480.

Step 1: Calculate Enrollment Percentage

10 Enrolled Credit Hours ÷ 18 Credit Hours for Full-time status x 100 = 56% (round up from 55.55%)

Step 2: Calculate the Maximum Annual Loan Eligibility

56% x $20,500 = $11,480 maximum annual loan

Enrollment Level

Your enrollment level is considered when determining your Federal Direct Loan eligibility. Students who enroll and remain full-time for the academic year are eligible for the maximum annual loan amount. Students enrolled at the three-quarter-time, half-time, or less-than-half-time level may have reduced loan eligibility. To receive a Federal Direct Loan, you must be enrolled at least half-time.

Undergraduate Enrollment Levels
Undergraduate Enrollment Level	Fall/Spring/Summer
Full Time	12+ Credit Hours Per Term
Three-Quarters Time	9 to 11.5 Credit Hours Per Term
Half Time	6 to 8.5 Credit Hours Per Term
Less than Half Time	5.5 or Less Credit Hours Per Term

Graduate Enrollment Levels
Graduate Enrollment Level	Fall/Spring	Summer
Full Time	9+ Credit Hours Per Term	6+ Credit Hours Per Term
Half Time	5 to 8.5 Credit Hours Per Term	3 to 5.5 Credit Hours Per Term
Less than Half Time	4.5 or Less Credit Hours Per Term	2.5 or Less Credit Hours Per Term

Annual Loan Eligibility Chart

Use this chart to estimate your annual loan eligibility based on your anticipated enrollment level. Loan amounts are estimates only and are subject to final eligibility review and determination.

Dependent Student Federal Direct Loan Estimate
Credit Hours Enrolled Per Year	Credit Hours Enrolled Per Term	Enrollment Intensity	Freshman Annual Loan Amount	Sophomore Annual Loan Amount	Junior/Senior Annual Loan Amount
24	12	100%	$5,500	$6,500	$7,500
22	11	92%	$5,060	$5,980	$6,900
20	10	84%	$4,620	$5,460	$6,300
18	9	75%	$4,125	$4,875	$5,625
16	8	67%	$3,685	$4,355	$5,025
14	7	59%	$3,245	$3,835	$4,425
12	6	50%	$2,750	$3,250	$3,750

Independent Student Federal Direct Loan Estimate
Credit Hours Enrolled Per Year	Credit Hours Enrolled Per Term	Enrollment Intensity	Freshman Annual Loan Amount	Sophomore Annual Loan Amount	Junior/Senior Annual Loan Amount
24	12	100%	$9,500	$10,500	$12,500
22	11	92%	$8,740	$9,660	$11,500
20	10	84%	$7,980	$8,820	$10,500
18	9	75%	$7,125	$7,875	$9,375
16	8	67%	$6,365	$7,035	$8,375
14	7	59%	$5,605	$6,195	$7,375
12	6	50%	$4,750	$5,250	$6,250

Graduate and Professional Student Federal Direct Loan Estimate
Credit Hours Enrolled Per Year	Credit Hours Enrolled Per Term	Enrollment Intensity	Graduate Annual Loan Amount	Professional (Clinical Psychology) Annual Loan Amount
18	9	100%	$20,500	$50,000
16	8	89%	$18,245	$44,500
14	7	78%	$15,990	$39,000
12	6	67%	$13,735	$33,500
10	5	56%	$11,480	$28,000

Frequently Asked Questions

The information provided is based on our current understanding of applicable laws and regulations and is subject to change.

What is the Schedule of Reductions?

Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, federal regulations require Direct Loan eligibility to be based on a student's enrollment level. Students enrolled full-time may qualify for the full annual loan amount, while students enrolled less than full-time may qualify for a reduced loan amount. If enrollment changes after a loan has been awarded or disbursed, the loan may be recalculated and adjusted based on the student's eligible enrolled credit hours. Students must remain enrolled at least half-time to maintain Federal Direct Loan eligibility.

How many credit hours are considered full-time?

Fall & Spring Terms:
- Full-time enrollment for Undergraduate Students is 12 Credit Hours
- Full-time enrollment for Graduate Students is 9 Credit hours
Summer Term:
- Full-time enrollment for Undergraduate Students is 12 Credit Hours
- Full-time enrollment for Graduate Students is 6 Credit hours

How are my loans affected if I change my schedule before my loan is disbursed?

Your loan will be disbursed based on your credit hours enrollment at the time of disbursement. Changes in your semester course schedule may delay your loan disbursement.

How are my loans affected if I change my schedule after my loan is disbursed?

Your current and/or future loan eligibility may be affected. You may be required to repay part of or all of your disbursed loan.

Will my Parent PLUS Loan be reduced if I enroll less than full-time?

Schedule of loan reductions does not apply to Parent PLUS Loans. However, there are limits to how much can be borrowed. There is an annual limit of $20,000 and maximum limit of $65,000 per dependent student. Students eligible for an interim exception may exceed these limits if specific eligibility criteria are met.
If your Parent PLUS loan was certified as a full-time student, your Parent PLUS loan may be reduced due to change in your cost of attendance.

I am Graduate Student eligible for an interim exception; will my Graduate PLUS Loan be reduced if I enroll less than full-time?

Yes. Schedule of loan reductions applies to all borrowers and includes Federal Direct Subsidized, Federal Direct Unsubsidized, and Graduate PLUS Loans.

I am enrolled in 6 credit hours and my program considers my enrollment to be half-time or greater. Why am I not eligible for more loans?

Federal loans are required to be calculated based on your actual enrollment in financial aid eligible hours.

I am enrolled in 15 credit hours. What happens to my aid if I drop to 12 credit hours?

If you remain enrolled in at least a full-time status, there will be no affect to your loan. If you drop credit hours below full-time status, your current and/or future aid may be affected. You may be required to repay part or all of or disbursed loan.

My credit hour enrollment for the fall term is different from my enrollment for the spring term. How will this affect my loan eligibility?

Your Federal Direct Loan eligibility is initially offered based on the assumption that your enrollment will be the same in both the fall and spring terms.

If your spring enrollment is lower than your fall enrollment, your loan amount will be reduced before disbursement.
If your spring enrollment is higher than your fall enrollment, you may request a review for a possible loan increase by submitting an Update My Aid Decision request through your myWSU account.

Not seeing your question? Visit Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions for other financial aid topics.

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.