Financial Aid & Scholarships

2026-2027 FAFSA now available

The 2026-2027 FAFSA form is now available for students to submit online. Students and their contributors can log into their accounts at studentaid.gov with their FSA ID to begin the application process. When submitting the form, make sure to list UNT Dallas (school code 042421) so that we can receive it.

Once UNT Dallas has received a student’s FAFSA, they will be notified via email. This notification will come from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and will include important information and the next steps needed. Please monitor your UNT Dallas student portal and email account for important updates and communications regarding 2026-2027 FAFSA processing.

One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Proposed Legislation Updates

Beginning July 1, 2026, significant federal student loan changes will take effect nationwide under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) legislation. These updates reshape borrowing options, repayment plans, and loan limits for students and families.

• Graduate PLUS Loans Ending for New Borrowers

  Graduate students will transition to new annual and lifetime limits for Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

• Parent PLUS Loan Caps

  Parents will now face fixed borrowing limits of $20,000 per year and $65,000 total per student—a major shift from the previous "up to cost of attendance" model.

• Streamlined Repayment Options

  New borrowers will have only two repayment plans: a revised standard plan and the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).

• Legacy Provisions for Continuing Students

  Students who borrowed for their current degree program before July 1, 2026, may keep current lending rules for up to three additional years if they remain in the same program. 

What You Should Do

We encourage all students and families to review these changes carefully as they may impact your financial planning. Our Financial Aid Office is available to assist with questions or to help you understand your options under the new rules.

FAQ's for OBBB

Federal Direct Loan Changes – FAQ (Effective July 1, 2026)

Major updates to federal student loan programs will take effect for the 2026–27 academic year under new legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). These changes affect borrowing limits, loan availability, and repayment plans for many students and families.

1. What is changing on July 1, 2026?

Beginning July 1, 2026, federal Direct Loan programs will undergo significant changes, including the elimination of certain loan types, new borrowing caps, and a streamlined repayment system with only two repayment options for new borrowers.

2. Are Graduate PLUS Loans going away?

Yes. Graduate PLUS Loans will be eliminated for new borrowers starting July 1, 2026. Graduate and professional students will instead rely on Direct Unsubsidized Loans with new annual and lifetime limits.

3. What are the new borrowing limits for graduate and professional students?

Graduate Students (master’s, PhD, etc.):

5. What is happening to repayment plans?

Beginning July 1, 2026, borrowers taking out new federal loans will only have two repayment options:

1. A revised Standard Repayment Plan
2. A new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) 
   Current borrowers may remain in existing repayment plans unless they consolidate or take out new loans that fall under the updated rules.

6. What are “legacy” or “grandfathering” provisions?

Students may continue borrowing under current loan rules for up to three years if both of the following apply:

• They remain enrolled in the same credentialed program in 2026–27.
• They borrowed a federal student loan for that program before July 1, 2026.
  Changing programs or taking a leave of absence may end legacy eligibility.

7. Will loan limits change if I enroll less than full‑time?

Yes. Beginning July 1, 2026, loan proration rules will apply to borrowers taking fewer than full‑time credit hours. Loan amounts will adjust based on enrollment level.

8. Will these changes affect undergraduate students?

Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loan limits for undergraduates will not change, but parents using Parent PLUS Loans will be affected by the new borrowing caps.

9. Will these changes affect Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)?

Yes. Parents who take out new Parent PLUS Loans beginning July 1, 2026, will only have access to the new standard repayment plan and will not be eligible for PSLF under the new rules.

10. Who is considered a “new borrower” under these rules?

You are a new borrower if:

• You have no Direct Loans before July 1, 2026, or
• All prior loans were paid in full before that date.

You are an active borrower if you are enrolled as of June 30, 2026, and have an outstanding loan for that program disbursed before July 1, 2026.

11. What steps should I take now?

• Review your current borrowing and enrollment plans.
• Consider whether you will qualify for legacy/ grandfathered provisions.
• Reach out to the Financial Aid Office for personalized guidance.

Make an appointment

We encourage all students that would like to meet with the Financial Aid Office to use the Microsoft Bookings tool that is linked below.  Students can request either in-person or virtual appointments with a Financial Aid Counselor.