Key Federal Aid Changes

Loans: Beginning July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS Loans for incoming and transfer students will be limited to $20,000 per student each academic year, with a maximum lifetime borrowing limit of $65,000 per dependent student. Parents who choose to use the Parent PLUS Loan program may borrow up to these annual and aggregate limits for each child. This limit applies to each student and not each parent borrower. 

Schedule of Reduction for Loans: Beginning the 2026-2027 academic year, all unsubsidized and subsidized annual loan amounts will be reduced based on enrollment for those less than full time.

Pell: Students may be ineligible for a Pell Grant if the full cost of attendance is covered with non-federal grants and scholarships or, if the student’s Student Aid Index (SAI) is greater than twice the maximum Pell Grant. 

Many students enrolled during the Spring or Summer 2026 terms who have previously received Federal Direct Loans may remain eligible under the legacy provisions.

Legacy Provisions
Legacy provisions allow eligible current students and parents to temporarily continue borrowing under the previous federal loan rules and borrowing limits. Eligibility is established by federal regulations and is automatically applied to qualifying students; it cannot be declined or waived.

Eligibility Requirements for Legacy Provisions
Students must meet all of the following conditions:

• A Federal Direct Loan must have been disbursed on or before June 30, 2026.
• The student must continue in the same academic program at the same institution. Undergraduate students may change majors if they remain in an undergraduate program.
• The student cannot withdraw or experience a break in enrollment.
• The student must remain within the expected timeframe for program completion, defined as the lesser of three academic years or the remaining length of the program.
  • Time to credential is defined by how long it would take a full-time student to complete a program and does not account for atypical enrollment, changes in major, or other delays in study.

Reduced Loan Eligibility for Less-Than-Full-Time Enrollment
Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, annual subsidized and unsubsidized loan limits will be reduced for students enrolled less than full-time.

Existing Parent PLUS borrowers who have borrowed for their students or students who have borrowed an unsubsidized loan before July 1, 2026, can continue borrowing under the current limits for the lesser of three years or the student’s expected time to credential based on published program lengths. 

Students who do not qualify for the legacy provisions should refer to the Incoming Undergraduate Students section for additional information regarding federal financial aid changes. 

Schedule of Loan Reductions: Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, annual subsidized and unsubsidized federal loan eligibility will be prorated for students enrolled less than full-time, resulting in reduced loan amounts based on enrollment status. 

Graduate students beginning their program in Fall 2026 or later will be fully subject to the new federal loan policies. Students enrolled in the Medical School should refer to the Professional Students section for additional information.

• The Graduate PLUS Loan will no longer be available.
• Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 annually in unsubsidized federal loans.
• The maximum graduate aggregate borrowing limit will be $100,000, excluding undergraduate federal student loan debt, but including and Direct Loans borrowed in previous graduate or professional programs.
• The aggregate lifetime federal loan limit will be $257,500, excluding undergraduate Parent PLUS Loans.

Schedule of Reduction for Loans: Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, annual unsubsidized federal loan eligibility will be prorated for students enrolled less than full-time for their program of study, resulting in reduced loan amounts based on enrollment status.

Students who do not qualify for legacy provisions should review the updated federal financial aid policies applicable to incoming graduate students.

Graduate students enrolled during the Spring or Summer 2026 terms who previously borrowed Federal Direct Loans may qualify for legacy provisions. These provisions allow eligible continuing students to temporarily continue borrowing under prior federal loan rules and loan limits, including continued access to Graduate PLUS Loans. Legacy eligibility is determined by federal law, automatically applied to qualifying students, and cannot be waived or declined. Students enrolled in the Medical School should refer to the Professional Students section for program-specific policies.

To remain eligible for legacy provisions, students must meet all of the following requirements:

• A Federal Direct Loan must be disbursed on or before June 30, 2026.
• The student must remain enrolled in the same academic program at the same institution.
• The student cannot withdraw or have a break in enrollment.
• For trimester-based programs, failure to enroll in the summer term is considered a break in enrollment and will result in loss of legacy eligibility.
• The student must remain within the expected timeframe for degree completion, defined as the shorter of three academic years or the remaining length of the program for a full-time student.

Schedule of Reduction for Loans: Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, annual unsubsidized federal loan eligibility will be prorated for students enrolled less than full-time for their program of study, resulting in reduced loan amounts based on enrollment status.

Note: Professional degrees at TCU are limited to: Burnett School of Medicine students (M.D.)

Fall 2026 Medical Students starting their courses in July 2026 should refer to the Returning Professional Students section for updated federal financial aid information due to their start date. 

• Graduate PLUS Loans are no longer available to new borrowers after July 1, 2026.
• Annual loan limit: $50,000 per year
• Graduate Aggregate loan limit: $200,000 (excluding undergraduate federal loans, includes any Direct Loans taken in previous graduate or professional programs)
• Lifetime federal loan limit: $257,500 (excluding Parent PLUS Loans)

Schedule of Reduction for Loans: Beginning in 2026–2027, unsubsidized annual loan limits will be prorated for students enrolled less than full-time.

Note: Professional degrees at TCU are limited to: Burnett School of Medicine students (M.D.)

Current borrowers may continue to have limited eligibility for federal student aid under legacy provisions, generally for the lesser of three years or the remaining expected time to complete their program.

Legacy provisions allow eligible continuing students to temporarily continue borrowing under prior federal loan rules, including continued access to Graduate PLUS Loans and earlier loan limits. Eligibility is determined by federal law, is automatically applied, and cannot be waived or declined. 

To qualify for legacy provisions, students must meet all of the following:

• A Federal Direct Loan must be disbursed on or before June 30, 2026.
• The student must remain in the same program at the same institution.
• There must be no withdrawal or break in enrollment.
• The student must remain within the expected time to complete the program, defined as the lesser of three academic years or the remaining program length.

Schedule of Reduction for Loans: Beginning in 2026–2027, annual unsubsidized loan limits will be prorated for students enrolled less than full-time.

Students who do not qualify for legacy provisions should refer to the Incoming Professional Students section for updated federal financial aid information.