Office of Financial Aid

One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)

Important Changes to Federal Financial Aid for 2026-2027
Last Updated: June 2026
Important: The information below is based on current federal guidance available regarding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Additional regulations, implementation guidance, and updates from the U.S. Department of Education may affect how these provisions are administered. Fort Valley State University will continue to monitor federal guidance and update this page as new information becomes available. Students and families are encouraged to review official Federal Student Aid resources and contact the Office of Financial Aid with questions regarding their individual eligibility.

Parent PLUS Loan Program Changes
The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Program will remain available; however, new borrowing limits will apply beginning July 1, 2026.
What This Means
•    Parents of dependent undergraduate students may borrow up to $20,000 per academic year.
•    A new lifetime (aggregate) borrowing limit of $65,000 per student will apply.
•    These limits are per student, not per parent. Combined borrowing by all parents may not exceed these limits.
•    Parent PLUS Loans will continue to require:
o    A separate loan application
o    A credit check
o    Repayment beginning approximately 60 days after full loan disbursement.
Grandfather (Legacy) Provision
Students and parents who received a Federal Direct Loan disbursement before July 1, 2026, may qualify to continue borrowing under the previous Parent PLUS Loan rules (up to the cost of attendance) for up to three academic years or the remainder of the student's program, whichever occurs first.

Federal Student Loan Adjustments Based on Enrollment Status
Beginning with the 2026-2027 award year, federal student loan eligibility will be tied more closely to enrollment status.
What This Means
•    Students enrolled less than full-time may no longer qualify for the full annual federal loan amount.
•    Loan eligibility will be reduced proportionally based on enrollment status.
•    This change applies to:
o    Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
o    Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
•    At Fort Valley State University, undergraduate students are considered full-time when enrolled in 12 or more credit hours per semester.
•    Students enrolled less than half-time (fewer than 6 credit hours) are not eligible for Federal Direct Loans.

Federal Pell Grant Changes
Beginning July 1, 2026, eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant will be affected by new federal regulations.
What This Means
•    Students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) that exceeds twice the maximum Pell Grant award amount may no longer qualify for a Federal Pell Grant.
•    Students whose non-federal grants and scholarships fully cover their Cost of Attendance (COA) may not be eligible to receive a Pell Grant, even if they otherwise meet eligibility requirements.
•    Foreign income must be included in the adjusted gross income (AGI) calculation used to determine Pell Grant eligibility.
Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA annually and review their eligibility after federal processing, as Pell Grant eligibility will be determined under updated federal regulations.

Student Loan Repayment Changes
Beginning July 1, 2026, significant changes will take effect for federal student loan repayment plans.
What This Means
•    For new federal loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, borrowers will have two primary repayment options:
o    Tiered Standard Repayment Plan with repayment terms of 10, 15, 20, or 25 years based on total loan debt.
o    Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) for eligible borrowers, which may count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) under revised requirements.
•    New Parent PLUS Loan borrowers will only be eligible for the Tiered Standard Repayment Plan.
•    Parent PLUS borrowers will not be eligible for income-driven repayment plans or the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
•    Beginning July 1, 2028, borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE, PAYE, or ICR repayment plans, or in related administrative forbearance, must transition to either the new Standard Repayment Plan or RAP. Borrowers who do not select a repayment option will be assigned one by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional Information
The Office of Financial Aid encourages students and families to stay informed as additional federal guidance becomes available.
For questions regarding how these changes may affect your financial aid eligibility, please get in touch with the Office of Financial Aid

The 2026-2027 FAFSA® is now available. Apply using our school code 001566.

2026-2027 Cost of Attendance

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Key Steps to Apply

The financial aid process can seem like a lot to wrap your mind around, but it’s really pretty simple if you understand the steps in process. It’s like walking–just put one foot in front of the other.

Read more about the steps for applying for financial aid here.

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Watch and Learn

It’s understandable if you have questions about the financial aid process. After all, although FVSU is one of the most affordable schools in the nation, paying for college isn’t something you do everyday. Here are videos to answer more questions you may have.

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