New Changes to Financial Aid

Federal & Texas Financial Aid Applications

Texas A&M University-Kingsville remains committed to offering high-quality, affordable education to our students. More than half of each incoming class qualifies for merit scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $12,000 per year. Moreover, 72% of FAFSA applicants are awarded Pell Grants while 70% are awarded TEXAS Grants. Our Javelina Promise Program is especially beneficial, covering tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students with a household income of $65,000 or less.

As a result of all these generous financial aid opportunities that more than 70% of new undergraduate students have their tuition and fees fully covered by scholarships and grants.

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Dr. Robert Vela Jr.

FAFSA Updates - One Big Beautiful Bill Act

On July 4, 2025, the President of the United States signed into law (Subtitle B) major changes to the U.S. tax code, as well as federal programs that receive mandatory funding, such as federal student loans. We realize many Javelina families have concerns about how these changes might affect their ability to pay for college. These updates will not affect completed 2025-2026 FAFSA’s. This page will answer many of these questions and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Beginning the 2026-2027 academic school year, loan eligibility will be impacted by enrollment intensity (applies to all borrowers at all degree levels). Full-time students may borrow up to their full loan eligibility, but any students enrolled less than full time will have loans reduced based on their percentage of enrollment. Federal loans impacted include Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized loans. Parent PLUS Loans are not affected.

Undergraduate Students

PELL Grant recipients will see eligibility limitations applied if the full Cost of Attendance is already covered by other state, private, and/or institutional scholarships and grants.

Graduate Students

What are the aggregate/lifetime borrowing limits for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Program?
- Prior to July 1, 2026: Eligible graduate students have an aggregate limit of $138,500. If a student repays a portion of the student loan, then the aggregate amount is adjusted to reflect the outstanding principal balance owed on the loans.
- July 1, 2026 and Beyond: Eligible graduate students have an aggregate limit of $100,000. These amounts do not include any subsidized and unsubsidized loans borrowed at the undergraduate level. Lifetime loan limits may also affect your borrowing availability; for further information about your lifetime and aggregate limits.
I’m a new student, can I apply for the Graduate PLUS loan?
- No. The Graduate PLUS program has been eliminated and will no longer be available to new graduate degree students beginning in 2026-2027.
I currently have a Graduate PLUS loan, can I still apply for it?
- Yes. If a borrower has a Graduate PLUS disbursed in their current academic program before July 1, 2026, the student may be able to borrow under current annual and aggregate loan limits for up to three academic years or the “minimum expected time to credential," whichever is less.
How is the “minimum expected time to credential” determined?
- The minimum time to credential is based on the length of the program measured in academic years starting from the term that the student began the program, regardless of how many credits the student attempts or earns or how much time they anticipate needing to complete their program. Bachelor’s degrees are four-year programs. Most master’s degrees are two-year programs. Most doctoral programs are five-year programs. A student who began a two-year master’s program in the fall of 2025 would only qualify for one year of legacy loan provisions.
What are the lifetime borrowing limits for the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan Program?
- Prior to July 1, 2026: There are no aggregate or lifetime loan limits for Graduate PLUS loans.
- July 1, 2026 and Beyond: Prior loan borrowing may affect your future loan eligibility. For further information about your lifetime and aggregate limits, contact a financial aid advisor.
What if I take a break from pursuing my program, change programs or withdraw from the university, will my eligibility be extended?
- No. Current guidance says that students who take leave, change, or withdraw from their program will lose access to legacy loan provisions immediately and be subject to aggregate and lifetime limits based on past borrowing.

Parents

How much can a parent of a undergraduate student borrow under the Parent PLUS Loan?
- Prior to July 1, 2026: Eligible parents of dependent undergraduate students can borrow Parent PLUS Loan funds up to the full Cost of Attendance, minus any other financial aid, to help finance their student's education.
- July 1, 2026 and Beyond: Eligible parents of dependent undergraduate students can borrow up to $20,000 annually in Parent PLUS Loan to help finance their student's education.
What is the borrowing limit for a Parent PLUS Loan?
- Prior to July 1, 2026: There is no lifetime borrowing limit for parents of students with Parent PLUS Loans who have borrowed under the Parent PLUS Loan program prior to July 1, 2026.
- July 1, 2026 and Beyond: New parent borrowers have a $65,000 lifetime aggregate limit per dependent student.
I currently have a Parent PLUS Loan, can I still apply for it?
- Yes. If a parent borrower has any federal loans disbursed before July 1, 2026, the parent can continue to borrow under pre-July 1, 2026 annual and lifetime Parent PLUS Loan limits for three academic years or the “minimum expected time to credential,” whichever is less.
How is the “minimum expected time to credential” determined?
- The minimum time to credential is based on the length of the program measured in academic years starting from the term that the student began the program, regardless of how many credits the student attempts or earns or how much time they anticipate needing to complete their program. Bachelor’s degrees are four-year programs. Most master’s degrees are two-year programs. Most doctoral programs are five-year programs. A student who began a two-year master’s program in the fall of 2025 would only qualify for one year of legacy loan provisions.
What if my child’s program is expected to take longer than the three additional years?
- There are no extensions to the three-year legacy provisions; at the end of that period, you will be subject to the new annual and aggregate loan limits.
What if my child takes a break from pursuing his program, changes programs or withdraws from the university, will my eligibility be extended?
- No. Current guidance says that students who take leave, change, or withdraw from their program will lose access to legacy loan provisions immediately.

Please Note:

TAMUK does not have the ability to grant exceptions to federal regulations, including those concerning enrollment, legacy provisions or federal loan eligibility. This information reflects the current interpretation of federal student financial aid rules and regulations and is subject to change without prior notice. We will update and add to this page as additional guidance is received from the U.S. Department of Education.