Financial Aid Resources

Parent PLUS Loan Limits are changing.

• Annual limit: $20,000 per year, per student
• Lifetime limit: $65,000 per student

• Only new undergraduate student borrowers are subject to these limits.
• Previous legacy borrowers are any students enrolled at UD as an undergraduate student who has borrowed any federal loan prior to July 1, 2026.
• This legacy condition for previous borrowers remains in effect for three academic years or for the remainder of their expected time to complete the program, within the published length of time to do so, whichever is less.
• Current borrowers meeting the legacy provision are only eligible for this for a limited period of time (usually no more than 3 years). If your program enrollment extends beyond the allowable "legacy" window of 3 years, you will be subject to the new annual and lifetime loan limits.

Examples

• You have received federal loans for the past two years (prior to July 1, 2026) and change your major at UD. In this case, you are considered a legacy borrower.
• You have received federal loans for the past two years (prior to July 1, 2026) as an undergraduate and now enroll as a graduate MBA student. In this case, you are considered a new borrower.
• You received federal loans last year at another institution and transferred to the University of Dayton to continue your undergraduate degree. In this case, you are considered a new borrower.

Parent borrowers should plan carefully. Those that are borrowing more than $20,000 annually or plan to borrow more than $65,000 over the course of the student’s undergraduate degree should consider both private and federal loan options.

Eligibility for annual Federal Direct Loan amounts are reduced for students who are enrolled less than full-time in an academic year (24 credit hours). Anytime enrollment falls below full-time, federal student direct loans must be reduced according to a schedule of reduction (SOR). This could affect loan eligibility for future terms and could result in a balance due if drops are made after the refund period.

No, this provision is effective for any student enrolled less than full-time after July 1, 2026.

Because future loan disbursements will be tied more closely to full-time enrollment, students will want to plan their schedules carefully starting in 2026–2027. If you have less than full-time enrollment in any term, it could affect loan eligibility in later terms. Your academic advisor can help you map out a schedule that keeps you on track. Completing a minimum of 24 credit hours in an academic year will ensure that you don’t have reduced eligibility for federal student direct loans.

Yes, under the new law your loan eligibility is adjusted based on your total annual enrollment. If you enroll less than full-time in an academic year (a total of 24 credit hours), your available annual loan amount will be reduced.

The Federal Pell Grant can no longer exceed the student's Cost of Attendance when combined with other financial aid.

This affects a very small population of students and our office will communicate directly with them by early April 2026. Federal Pell grant eligibility will continue to be awarded based on the FAFSA determined eligibility for most students.

The Graduate PLUS loan has been eliminated for new student borrowers.

Any student who has borrowed any federal loan prior to July 1, 2026 and meets the following conditions is eligible for the Graduate PLUS Loan:

• Enrolled in the same graduate program for up to three academic years or for the remainder of their expected time to complete the program, within the published length of time to do so, whichever is less.
• Has not ceased enrollment after July 1, 2026.
• Students must continue to be credit approved.

Examples

• You have received federal loans for the past year (prior to July 1, 2026) as a DPT student and will be taking another loan this year for the same program. In this case, you are considered a legacy borrower.
• You are starting a new degree program after July 1, 2026 and have not previously borrowed federal loan money for this program. In this case, you are considered a new borrower.

Beginning a new degree program (even at the same school), or taking a leave of absence can reset your borrowing category. This means your loan limits and eligibility rules may change to those of a "new borrower."

Current borrowers meeting the legacy provision are only eligible for this for a limited period of time (usually no more than 3 years). If your program enrollment extends beyond the allowable "legacy" window of 3 years, you will be subject to the new annual and lifetime loan limits.

The University of Dayton has evaluated lending opportunities available to students in the private marketplace and we have a list of lenders which can be a starting point for you to explore. Students are not required to use a lender on this list, rather they can consider any lender they choose.

Eligibility for annual Federal Direct Loan amounts are reduced for students who are enrolled less than full-time in an academic year. Anytime enrollment falls below full-time, federal student direct loans must be reduced according to a schedule of reduction (SOR). This could affect loan eligibility for future terms and could result in a balance due if drops are made after the refund period.

Under the new bill, your loan eligibility is adjusted if you are not enrolled full-time during the academic year. The academic year calculation includes the summer term if it is a required term of enrollment for your program (ex. DPT and physician assistant programs).

No, this provision is effective for any student enrolled less than full-time after July 1, 2026. We encourage you to plan your schedule for each of the terms for the upcoming academic year while details about this requirement are still being finalized.

Yes, under the new law your loan eligibility is adjusted based on your total annual enrollment. If you enroll less than full-time in an academic year, your available annual loan amount will be reduced.

Effective July 1, 2026, the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits are different for graduate and professional students. Before this, the limits were the same.

Only new student borrowers are subject to these limits.

Previous legacy borrowers are any students enrolled in the same graduate program for up to three academic years but no longer than their expected time to credential. Additionally, a student may not cease enrollment after July 1, 2026.

Examples

• You have received federal loans for the past year (prior to July 1, 2026) as a J.D. Law student and will be taking another loan this year for the same program. In this case, you are considered a legacy borrower.
• You are starting a new degree program after July 1, 2026 and have not previously borrowed federal loan money for this program. In this case, you are considered a new borrower.

See table for borrower limits.

NOTE: There is a new lifetime limit in effect of $257,500 for all combined federal student loans. This includes the amount that a student has borrowed previously through the Federal Graduate PLUS loan. Legacy borrowers are not subject to this lifetime limit.

Based on federal guidance, at the University of Dayton, the J.D. program within the School of Law meets the definition of "Professional."

On June 23, a federal court order stayed, or temporarily halted, key parts of the U.S. Department of Education's professional degree definition. While the department is appealing the ruling, it issued guidance clarifying how schools can treat professional degree programs for loan limit purposes. The guidance includes an updated list of programs temporarily eligible for higher professional degree program loan limits. View additional details about what this may mean for your program.

This is only a distinction for loan eligibility purposes and does not reflect the academic expertise or rigor of a program.

All other programs are considered "graduate" level for federal loan eligibility.