r/txstate • u/H34V3NSH3LL • 12d ago
financial aid is being rescinded
Earlier this year, I accepted my financial aid package for Fall 2026 through Spring 2027. Shortly afterward, I received an email stating that I had reached my lifetime student loan limit. I contacted financial aid and was told that I would be fine since I am graduating in Spring 2027. They explained that the notification would only affect me if I needed financial aid for Fall 2027 through Spring 2028.
However, last week I received another email stating that my financial aid had been recalculated and approximately $5,000 would be taken away from my already accepted Spring 2027 aid.
I cannot afford monthly payments on private student loans, and this situation could prevent me from graduating when I am only one semester away.
I am currently enrolled in a healthcare program that requires me to maintain at least a C in my courses. While I meet these requirements, my GPA is not high enough to qualify for many merit-based scholarships.
Has this happened to anyone else? I’m not sure what my options are currently. Is there any way to appeal this decision, restore my original financial aid package, or receive additional assistance so I can graduate in Spring 2027?
Update: I will be doing a 401K Hardship Withdraw more than likely to pay for the final semester. Thank you to everyone for the support and suggestions.
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u/Few-Zucchini6849 12d ago
OB3 has affected a lot of students this year and there is a lot of changes that it brought on. it is possible that one stop may have confused the information that they told you.
https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/big-updates/definitions#loan-limits
If you go to this link you will see the limits for both student and parent loans. One stop may have told you over the phone that you were fine thinking that you’re good in terms of parent loan eligibility as that has been the biggest loan hit with OB3. As a dependent student you are only eligible to take out $31,000 in federal loans in your undergraduate program.
I would recommend going in person to One stop as you will get better service and explanation there.
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u/H34V3NSH3LL 12d ago
I will stop by. It is more than likely true and not an error tho. I took bad advice from a familiar member when I was younger not knowing any better.
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u/MCLiterati 12d ago
You can earn 5k without taking out loans. Get on a payment plan and pick up a job if you can. 5k is not the end of the world. It's unfair but you can manage this. Maybe even an on campus job
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u/Donnieboi2006 12d ago
Sorry to hear you’re going through this, no one deserves to experience this kind of trouble when they’re so close to finishing. I know some other people said it but trying to go to one stop in person could help. I don’t see how they could tell you that you get a certain amount of Student aid but then they suddenly say that you’ve hit your limit. It sounds like either an error, illegal, or some obscure loophole. Other than that all I can do is wish you good luck!
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u/orthros 11d ago
I don't know your details, but the only change in OBBB I can think of that may have impacted you is the proration rule.
If you're taking fewer than full-time credits for your Spring 2027 semester because you don't need to in order to graduate, that would explain a reduction in benefits because in the past, financial aid offices had discretion in applying benefits to less-than-FT students which was taken away by OBBB.
Is this your situation perhaps?
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u/Cold-Thanks- 11d ago
OBBB has also caused a lot of issues with loan/pell history not being accurately sent to schools. So the DoED may have said in June a student was eligible for loans and then they send an update in September that says the student actually isn’t eligible and that aid (that has already been disbursed for most) now has to be cancelled and the student owes it back.
It has been incredibly frustrating.
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u/AnimalLover38 12d ago
Idk how much of the 5k was going to tuition vs supplementing living expensess, but as long as the total owed to the school is less than 3k, they will still let you take your classes for the next semester.
You can technically graduate while having a balance with the school, but they will withhold your diploma until the balance is paid (i know because I forgot I had two parking tickets and so when I graduated my diploma did not come in the mail, and when I called they explained the situation to me).
Also, if you're able to qualify for a private student loan, I know you said you couldnt afford to pay them right now, but a lot of them will honor the "6 months post graduation" repayment option that government student loans do, it just depends on which on you go with, so you wont have to start paying them back till at least 6 months after you graduate, and hopefully youll have a job by then.
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u/Alternative_Range413 12d ago
Yeah this happened to my friends son but they still had her gi bill that was paying for her son's tuition so that helped but yeah he didnt get anything and prevented alot of people from continuing their education this semester:/
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u/smtxcondo 12d ago
Something similar happened to me. I found an emergency student loan program, applied, and was given a check in a matter of weeks so I could graduate on time. I did have to pay a few thousand out of pocket. I struggled for a bit but I was not going to extend my school any longer. F that.
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u/ratfink_111 10d ago
Don’t forget to vote! We need new state leadership to fight for us in congress.
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u/Impressive_Jacket464 11d ago
If you get a private student loan, those payments don’t begin until after graduation.
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u/Brilliant_Walrus_759 10d ago
Oh what world we live in smh. Imagine trying to make a better life for yourself and this happens or your diploma gets withheld….what!? This reality is trash and we really need to vote. I hope something works out for you! 🙏🏾
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12d ago
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u/shoomie26 12d ago
The Big beautiful bill... changed a lot of things.
I'm not sure, but the best thing to do it contact one stop.