Federal Actions

What do the new federal actions mean for you?

This page has been developed to assist students and families navigate administrative changes impacting higher education. We encourage you to visit this page often as updates and changes occur frequently. Additional information can also be found at the Community Resource Page, including policy information, student, faculty, and staff resources, and FAQs.  

 

Visa Holders

  • Visa appointments at foreign embassies to allow for additional social media vetting
    • Foreign embassies are not currently accepting appointments for student visa applications. This includes both new students and those who are renewing their visas. Please check appointment availability daily, as this may be subject to change.  
    • There is no additional information at this time regarding what the State Department might be looking for in their social media inquiries. However, you are encouraged to review the content of your social media accounts.
    • Please contact Sarah Sculley for additional information at Sculleys@wit.edu.

  • Students from China
    • Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the Trump administration will “aggressively” revoke Chinese student visas who have connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.
    • There is no additional information at this time as to what the State Department might consider as justification for revocation.
    • Please contact Sarah Sculley for additional information at Sculleys@wit.edu  

Financial Aid

  • General Information

    No changes are expected for the 2025–26 academic year.

    The 2026-27 academic year runs from September 2026 to August 2027. While many details still need further clarification from Congress and the Department of Education, we want to share what we know so far.

    Most changes from the reconciliation bill go into effect July 1, 2026. The information below reflects our current understanding and is subject to change as more clarification is available. Additionally, the federal budget for the 2026 fiscal year is still in progress, and more changes may be announced.

    The Financial Aid Office will work with students throughout the year to help you plan payment options. We encourage students to watch our regularly scheduled events and webinars focusing on financial wellness.

    Key Changes for Undergraduate Students in 2026-27:

    • Federal Loans Adjusted for Part-time Students
      • If you enroll part-time (less than 12 credits), your federal subsidized and unsubsidized loan amounts will be adjusted based on your enrollment. The federal government needs clarification on how this will be calculated.
    • New Annual Cap on Parent PLUS loans
      • Parent PLUS loans, from all parents, will have an annual cap of $20,000 per student. If a parent already has borrowed a PLUS loan before July 1, 2026, they can continue borrowing up to the full cost of attendance, rather than the cap, if the student stays enrolled and completes their degree within 3 years of July 1, 2026.
    • Changes to Loan Repayment Plans
      • Repayment options will change for any new federal student loans borrowed after July 1, 2026. We’ll post updates on our loan page as more details become available.
    • FAFSA Changes to Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Calculation
      • Exemptions will be added for family farms, small businesses, and fisheries.
      • Pell eligibility will be limited to students with an SAI below 14,790 (or double the max Pell award for 2026-27)
      • Foreign income will be included in the Pell calculation as a source of income rather than exempted.

    Key Changes for Graduate Students in 2026-27:

    • Elimination of the Graduate PLUS Loan
      • Graduate PLUS Loans will no longer be available starting July 1, 2026.
      • If you already have a current graduate PLUS loan before that date, you can continue borrowing to complete your program as long as you stay enrolled and complete the degree within 3 years of July 1, 2026. Private educational loan options will replace the Grad PLUS Loan program.
    • Federal Loans Adjusted for Part-time Students
      • If you enroll part-time (less than 9 credits), your federal unsubsidized loan amount will be adjusted based on your enrollment. The federal government needs to issue clarification on how this will be calculated and confirm that it will be applied to graduate students.
    • Graduate Lifetime Loan Cap
      • There will be a new lifetime cap of $100,000 on graduate student loans. This limit does not include any undergraduate debt already taken.
    • Changes to Loan Repayment Plans
      • Repayment options will change for any new federal student loans borrowed after July 1, 2026. We’ll post updates on our loan page as more details become available.

    We are committed to keeping our students and families informed as details unfold. As always, our priority is to help you access and understand your financial aid options. 

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Will my Pell grant change?

    Most likely no, less than 1% of Wentworth students are expected to see a change to their Pell Grant eligibility under the updated Student Aid Index and Pell formula. If you are impacted, the Financial Aid Office will contact you directly.

    Do I need to be 15 credits to be full-time or get a Pell grant now?

    No. This proposal was not included in the final bill. You are still considered full-time at 12 or more credits for financial aid purposes.

    Did Work Study or Federal Supplemental Equal Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) go away?

    No. These programs remain unchanged in the final version of the bill and will continue to be offered.

    How are my student loans changing?

    If you’re an undergraduate borrowing in your own name, your student loan options are not changing. Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans remain available under current rules.

    However, there are changes for PLUS loans. Parent PLUS Loans will have a new borrowing cap of $20,000 per student per year starting in 2026–27. Graduate PLUS Loans will no longer be available for new borrowers after July 1, 2026. Students who borrowed a Grad PLUS loan before that date can continue borrowing if they stay enrolled and finish their program within three years.

    Also, new repayment plan options are expected for loans first disbursed after July 1, 2026. We’ll share updates when more details are released.

    What should I do now?

    There’s no action required at this time. If you currently use or are considering Parent PLUS or Graduate PLUS loans for next year, we recommend exploring alternative options on our loan page.

    I’m planning on being part-time next year, what should I do?

    We recommend scheduling a meeting with your financial aid counselor and providing them with your academic plan so they can walk you through the changes and some options. Wentworth funds, such as your Presidential Merit Scholarship, require you to be enrolled full-time. If eligible, Pell grants are currently prorated based on the enrollment and under the new reconciliation bill; federal loans will also be prorated.

    Do these changes impact my private loans?

    No, these changes apply only to federal student aid programs. Private lenders each have their own terms and conditions, and we recommend reviewing them carefully prior to signing any agreements.