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.
Beginning the 2026-2027 academic year, students enrolled in a part-time status will
receive a reduced amount of federal loan offers. Loan offers will be based on the
number of credit hours a student is enrolled and academically engaged in. This process
is referred to as Schedule of Reductions (SOR).
SOR applies to all undergraduate, graduate, professional students, and borrowers eligible
for interim exceptions and includes Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans,
and Graduate PLUS Loans. Parent PLUS Loans for dependent students are not subject
to SOR.
Schedule of Reductions Calculation
Process:
Step 1:
(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:
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.
Example: Undergraduate Student
A dependent Freshman undergraduate student who enrolls in 9 credit hours for fall
and 9 credit hours for spring
Step 1: 18 Enrolled Credit Hours / 24 Credit Hours for Full-time status x 100 =75%
Step 2: 75% x $5,500 = $4,125 maximum annual loan
Example: Graduate Student
A Graduate student who enrolls in 6 credit hours for fall and 6 credit hours for spring
Step 1: 10 Enrolled Credit Hours / 18 Credit Hours for Full-time status x 100 = 56%
(round up from 55.55%
Step 2: 56% x $20,500 = $11,480 maximum annual loan
Annual Loan Eligibility Chart - Estimates
Use this chart to estimate your annual loan eligibility based on your expected enrollment.
Amounts are not guaranteed and subject to a final eligibility review and determination.
Dependent Student Federal Direct Loan Estimate
Credit Hours Enrolled Per Year
Enrollment Intensity
Freshman
Annual Loan Amount
Sophomore
Annual Loan Amount
Junior/Senior
Annual Loan Amount
24
100%
$5,500
$6,500
$7,500
22
92%
$5,060
$5,980
$6,900
20
84%
$4,620
$5,460
$6,300
18
75%
$4,125
$4,875
$5,625
16
67%
$3,685
$4,355
$5,025
14
59%
$3,245
$3,835
$4,425
12
50%
$2,750
$3,250
$3,750
Full-time Enrollment is 24 Hours
Independent Student Federal Direct Loan Estimate
Credit Hours Enrolled Per Year
Enrollment Intensity
Freshman
Annual Loan Amount
Sophomore
Annual Loan Amount
Junior/Senior
Annual Loan Amount
24
100%
$9,500
$10,500
$12,500
22
92%
$8,740
$9,660
$11,500
20
84%
$7,980
$8,820
$10,500
18
75%
$7,125
$7,875
$9,375
16
67%
$6,365
$7,035
$8,375
14
59%
$5,605
$6,195
$7,375
12
50%
$4,750
$5,250
$6,250
Full-time Enrollment is 24 Hours
Graduate and Professional Student Federal Direct Loan Estimate
Credit Hours Enrolled Per Year
Enrollment Intensity
Graduate
Annual Loan Amount
Professional (Clinical Psychology)
Annual Loan Amount
18
100%
$20,500
$50,000
16
89%
$18,245
$44,500
14
78%
$15,990
$39,000
12
67%
$13,735
$33,500
10
56%
$11,480
$28,000
Full-time Enrollment is 18 Hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Information being provided is based on our current understanding of the law and subject
to change.
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.
Your loan will be disbursed based on your credit hours enrollment at the time of disbursement.
Changes in your schedule may delay your loan disbursement.
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.
Yes. Schedule of loan reductions applies to all borrowers and includes Federal Direct
Subsidized, Federal Direct Unsubsidized, and Graduate PLUS Loans.
Federal loans are required to be calculated based on your actual enrollment in financial
aid eligible hours. Although your program may consider you to be completing half-time
or greater equivalent work, your loan eligibility is based on your actual credit hour
enrollment.
*Information is contingent and subject to change. Wichita State University's Office
of Financial Aid & Scholarships will update this page as guidance becomes available.
