Financial assistance is provided to students in an effort to assist them with funds needed to pay educational cost, which is the difference between the actual cost of attendance and what a student can afford to pay as determined by the family’s Student Aid Index (SAI) calculated by FAFSA. A financial aid package may consist of grants, loans, work-study, scholarships or a combination of these programs.
The mission of the Office of Financial Aid is to enhance the overall mission of the university and to help students achieve their educational potential by providing appropriate financial resources. We will use our knowledge of institutional, state, and federal guidelines to manage the financial resources, to educate students and families, and to assist in removing financial barriers for those who wish to pursue a postsecondary education.
A federal Pell grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. Pell grants are awarded to students who are eligible based on the results of the FAFSA and their Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The amount awarded will depend on their enrollment status as a full-time or part-time student. Effective with the 2012-2013 award year, the duration of a student’s eligibility to receive a federal Pell grant is 12 full-time semesters. The calculation of duration will include all years that the student previously received the federal Pell grant funding.
The federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest EFC will be considered first for an SEOG. Just like the federal Pell Grant, the SEOG does not have to be repaid. Funds for this program are limited.
The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is awarded on the basis of a student’s financial need, classification status, number of hours enrolled, and other specific eligibility requirements. The federal government does not charge interest on these loans while borrowers are enrolled in school at least half-time, during a six-month grace period, or during authorized periods of deferment. Payments are not required while borrowers are enrolled in school at least half-time, during a six-month grace period, or during authorized periods of deferment. Students apply for this loan through the FAFSA. This loan is subject to an origination fee that is set by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based on a student’s financial need, classification status, and number of hours enrolled but students must also meet specific eligibility requirements. Interest is charged throughout the life of the loan. The borrower may choose to pay the interest charged on the loan or allow the interest to be capitalized (added to the loan principal). Payments are not required while borrowers are enrolled in school at least half-time, during a six-month grace period, or during authorized periods of deferment. Students apply for this loan through the FAFSA. This loan is subject to an origination fee that is set by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan for an undergraduate student is not based on financial need and is limited to a parent borrower for a dependent student. A parent is currently defined as a person’s natural or adoptive mother or father, step-parent, or legal guardian. The annual limit is equal to the student’s cost of attendance, as defined by Wiley, minus any other financial aid the student is receiving. Parents are required to pass a credit check and meet eligibility requirements. Students apply for this loan through the FAFSA, as well as through an additional application. This loan is subject to an origination fee that is set by the U.S. Department of Education.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act: 2026-27 Changes to Federal Financial Aid
Please Note:
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act making significant changes to the federal student financial aid programs effective July 1, 2026.
This information reflects the most current guidance available and is subject to change. Wiley University Office of Financial Aid will continue to make updates regarding the scope and effect of these changes as we receive additional guidance.
Please review Federal Student Aid updates for the most up-to-date information being released on changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act updates.
The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is being eliminated for new borrowers beginning July 1, 2026.
• Legacy Provision: Students who have a Federal Loan disbursed before July 1, 2026 and continue to be enrolled at Wiley University in the same program as of June 30, 2026, may continue borrowing $20,500 of Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans up to the full cost of attendance through June 30, 2029, or until the expected time to credential, whichever comes first.
No student may receive more than half of their annual loan amounts in one semester, regardless of legacy status.
Effective July 1, 2026, for the 2026-2027 Award Year for all students, regardless of legacy status.
Annual loan amounts will be adjusted based on actual enrollment (if less than fulltime in degree-pursuant coursework) for both undergraduate and graduate students. This will result in a reduction of federal loan eligibility for a student enrolled less than full-time for the academic year. Students still must be enrolled in at least ½ time to receive student loans. All Loans – Sub, Unsub and Grad Plus are subject to the Schedule of Reduction Approved Parent Plus loans are excluded from the schedule of reduction requirements.
Students who withdraw from any course(s) will have loan eligibility recalculated.
• Undergraduate Students – 12 hours of courses that count towards your primary degree program is considered full time.
• Graduate Students – 12 Hours of courses that count towards your primary degree program is considered full time.
More information on this change is not yet available.
The legislation establishes a total lifetime limit of $257,500 for all combined federal student loans. This cap applies to the total outstanding principal balance of your federal loans, which include Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and Grad PLUS loans. Please note that this aggregate limit does not include Parent PLUS loans. New lifetime loan limit $257,500 includes student borrowing for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study.
• Legacy Provision: Students who have borrowed a Federal Direct loan that has been disbursed prior to July 1, 2026, will have a legacy provision that allows them to borrow based on previous loan limits, through June 30, 2029, or until the expected time to credential, whichever comes first. To qualify students must remain enrolled at the same institution, in the same program of study as of June 30, 2026.
No student may receive more than half of their annual loan amounts in one semester, regardless of legacy status.
Parents of dependent undergraduate students who borrow a parent PLUS loan on or after July 1, 2026 may borrow up to $20,000 per year per student with an aggregate limit of up to $65,000 per student.
It’s important to note that these limits are combined limits — meaning if multiple parents apply for a PLUS loan for their student, the combined total for all PLUS loan borrowers cannot exceed $20,000 for the year or the $65,000 aggregate limit per student.
• Legacy Provision: Students or parents who have borrowed a Federal Direct loan that has been disbursed prior to July 1, 2026, will have a legacy provision that allows them to borrow based on previous loan limits, through June 30, 2029, or until the expected time to credential, whichever comes first. To qualify students must remain enrolled in the same program of study at the institution.
Starting in Fall 2026, students will no longer be eligible for a Pell Grant if their Student Aid Index (SAI) is greater than twice the maximum Pell award for that year. An applicant with an SAI equal to or greater than $14,790 for the award year is ineligible for a Pell Grant.
Pell award amounts will continue to vary based on income and family size, but there is now a firm cutoff tied to the annual Pell maximum.
Students who receive grants or scholarships from non-federal sources, including Wiley University scholarships, covering their entire Cost of Attendance are ineligible to receive a Pell Grant, even if otherwise eligible for the program.
Sample Loan Repayment Schedule
The Federal College Work Study Program allows students, who show financial need, to earn money to assist with their educational expenses.
Students interested in CWSP should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after October 1 as possible each year, because this program has limited funding, and select that you are interested in work study. Please select yes for on the FAFSA if you would like CWSP.
Employment through work study allows students the flexibility of participating in either on-campus employment or in a community service work site. There are several agencies participating in the community service aspect of the work study program. Many of these organizations are directly related to a student’s academic programs and offer students the opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge toward fulfilling societal needs within the community.
The Work Study Handbook provides full details about the program.
The purpose of the Tuition Equalization Grant is provide grant aid to students with financial need to enable them to attend private, non-profit colleges or universities in Texas. You can view all of the Eligibility Requirements on the College for all Texans website.
Wiley University offers numerous institutional and special scholarships. The University scholarship committee recommends the granting of scholarships. The recommendations are made consistent with the established criteria. Scholarship awards may be restricted according to special purposes. Students needing additional assistance should contact the Office of Financial Aid. The Financial Aid Office administers all aid programs. Monitoring of the criteria for awards below will be done by the Office of the Provost.
This four-year scholarship, limited to the published cost of room, board, tuition, and fees, is offered by selection to an entering freshman who meet the following criteria:
A grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
A commitment to Social Good and Leadership;
A successful essay submission and interview:
A current high school diploma with recorded outstanding achievement;
Priority consideration will be given to students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant by February 1 through completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)*. Consideration may also be given to students who have demonstrated a strong likelihood to qualify for the Federal Pell Grant through a combination of other factors.
Students must be an undergraduate student pursuing a first degree.
To maintain this scholarship, the student must enroll in and pass fifteen (15) semester credit hours and maintain a minimum cumulative and semester grade point average of 3.50, complete a social good project each year, and attend trainings and experiences offered by the Heman Sweatt Center for Social Good and Leadership. All recipients are expected to abide by the legal, ethical and moral guidelines of Wiley University. Recipients must understand and accept that there is a consequence for misconduct, and that any actual or perceived impropriety behavior may result in cancellation of their scholarship.
Wiley University students are offered the opportunity to receive a $1000 scholarship for attending the institution. Students must maintain a 2.5 g.p.a and remain in good conduct standing at the University. Scholarship restrictions apply.
Private loans are available to students who are not eligible for federal financial aid or who need additional funds to meet educational expenses; however, Federal Title IV funds may be more favorable than private loans.
Private loans are expensive and should only be borrowed when all other resources, such as Stafford or PLUS loans, have been exhausted. These loans do not offer the same benefits as Federal Financial Aid and are subject to higher interest rates because they are not guaranteed by the federal government. Since this type of loan is based on credit history, it may require a cosigner.
The Office of Financial Aid does not post or verbalize to students the names of private loan lenders. Students are encouraged to visit multiple lenders’ web pages to verify the interest rate, repayment options, fees charged, and borrower benefits. Our office does not endorse any lenders, receive any incentives, or have any arrangements or agreements with any lenders.
