Financial Aid Updates: What You Need to Know
Seminole State College is committed to supporting students every step of the way throughout the financial aid process. Part of that commitment is ensuring that you are notified of changes to that process and how those changes may affect your financial aid.
As new federal financial aid regulations take effect beginning July 1, 2026, colleges and universities across the country, including Seminole State, are implementing required system updates that may impact processing timelines.
Due to these federally mandated updates, some financial aid processing – starting with Summer 2026 – may be delayed. These delays are temporary and are part of a nationwide transition as federal systems are updated.
Your financial aid remains our priority. Our team is actively working to ensure all eligible aid is processed and delivered as quickly as possible.
What This Means for You
- You may not see immediate changes, depending on your enrollment status and program.
- You may experience longer processing or disbursement timelines.
- You will be notified if any additional information or action is needed.
Please review the chart below to see how federal guidelines compare before and after July 1, 2026.
Note: The information provided on this page reflects the College’s current understanding and interpretation of the law and may change as additional federal guidance becomes available.
Federal Guideline Comparisons | ||
|---|---|---|
Topic | Before July 1, 2026 | After July 1, 2026 |
| Pell Grant | Max amount unchanged; part-time students eligible | Max amount unchanged; part-time students eligible; students fully covered by other scholarships/grants or with a Student Aid Index (SAI) ≥ 14,790 not eligible; foreign income included in FAFSA Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) |
| Undergrad Direct Loans | Current annual & aggregate limits; prorated for fall graduating semesters enrolled <12 hours | No change to limits; loans prorated if enrolled <12 hours at any time |
| Parent PLUS Loans | Current borrowing rules; no new limits | $20,000/year per student; $65,000 lifetime per student including amounts canceled, repaid, forgiven, or discharged |
| Lifetime Loan Limits | Existing is $138,500 aggregate borrowing max (includes undergrad borrowing). | Applicable to all new borrowers after July 1, 2026; $257,500 maximum limit including undergrad borrowing and amounts canceled, repaid, forgiven, or discharged; Excludes PLUS loans; if never in a qualified professional degree program, will never borrow $257,500. |
| Enrollment Loan Proration | Not required unless undergrad graduating fall <12 hours | Loans prorated if < 12 hours (undergrad) or < 6 hours (grad) at any time |
| Repayment Plans | SAVE & existing plans | SAVE eliminated; new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) |
What You Can Expect From Us
We know how important financial aid is to helping you continue your academic progress and achieve your goals.
We are closely monitoring these changes and working to minimize any disruption to your experience. We will share additional information as new federal guidance becomes available.
Your financial aid is our priority, and we are here to help.
What You Can Do Now
- Check MySeminoleState and your Student Email regularly for updates.
MySeminoleState » Student Email » - Submit any requested documents as soon as possible.
Review the Financial Aid Update FAQs.
Financial Aid Update FAQs »- Contact us if you have questions. We're here to help.
- Phone: 407.708.2045
- In Person: Speak to a Student Success Specialist on any campus for help with your financial aid account.
We appreciate your patience as the College continues to work through these federally mandated system updates.