2026-27 Financial Aid Package

Please Note: Your financial aid package is a preview of anticipated aid — not a tuition bill. Your official bill will be available in mid-July 2026. No loan action is required until then.

Your Step-by-Step Action Plan

Here is what to expect — and what we need from you — at each stage of the 2026–27 financial aid process.

Review and Compare Your Award

Log in to Self Service to review your 2026–27 financial aid offer and compare it to your prior year package. Most institutional aid is designed to remain consistent year to year. If anything looks unexpected, contact our office now so we can resolve it before billing opens.

  • Use the portal login walkthrough guide for step-by-step instructions [INSERT LINK]
  • Confirm your FAFSA is complete and signed by your contributor
  • Verify that your housing information is current

Your Bill Becomes Available

In mid-July, your official billing statement will be posted to your account. You will be able to see exactly how your financial aid applies toward your balance. All gift aid (grants and scholarships) is automatically accepted on your behalf — no action is needed for those funds.

  • Review how your aid is applied to your bill
  • Identify any remaining balance not covered by gift aid

Accept Loans or Arrange Additional Funding

Once your bill is available, log back in to Self Service and take action on any loans needed to cover your remaining balance. You are not required to borrow the full amount offered.

  •  Accept or decline your federal student loans
  •  Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan if applicable — note new borrowing caps under OBBBA effective July 1, 2026
  • Apply for a private/alternative loan if additional funding is needed

 

What Stays the Same & What Can Change

We are committed to consistency. Most Aquinas aid remains stable year to year — but some aid types are recalculated annually or added later once eligibility is confirmed.

AID TYPE YEAR-TO-YEAR STATUS NOTES
AQ Opportunity Grant Stable Designed to remain consistent each year eligibility is maintained
Endowed Scholarships Stable Remains consistent year to year for renewable endowed awards. Some endowed scholarships are one-time only — check your award details.
Athletic Aid Stable Remains the same year to year per your agreement with your coach
Federal Need-Based Aid (Pell Grant, etc.) May Vary

Recalculated annually based on your updated Student Aid Index (SAI) from your FAFSA. Changes in family finances can affect eligibility.
Federal Student Loans May Vary Subject to enrollment status and new federal proration rules effective July 1, 2026. See OBBBA section below.
State of Michigan Grants Added Later Some state awards are added after fall semester begins once eligibility is officially confirmed. Your package will be updated at that time.

 

Factors That Can Impact Your Aid Eligibility

If your package looks different from last year, one of the following may explain the change. Please contact our office with any questions.

If you only see merit aid and expected need-based funds, your FAFSA may be incomplete or missing a contributor's signature. Log in to studentaid.gov to check your status.

Federal need-based aid is recalculated each year using your new FAFSA data. If your family's financial picture changed, your SAI — and therefore your federal aid — may have changed too.

Changes in your living situation — on-campus vs. off-campus — can affect certain merit aid amounts. Check your package carefully if your housing status changed.

All aid is based on full-time enrollment (12+ credits). Dropping below full-time triggers adjustments to all aid, including federal loan amounts under new OBBBA rules.

All students must meet SAP standards to remain eligible for institutional, federal, and state aid. Contact our office promptly if you have a SAP warning or questions about your standing.

Adjustments are granted on a yearly basis. If you received an adjustment last year, you will need to contact our office to submit updated paperwork for the next academic year.

 

Reminder — This Is Your Aid Preview, Not Your Bill: The award you see now is a projected summary of anticipated financial aid for 2026–27. Your official tuition bill will not be issued until mid-July 2026. Use this time to review your package, ask questions, and ensure your FAFSA is finalized so you are fully prepared when billing opens.

 

What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) Means for You

Federal Legislation Update

Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21) makes significant changes to federal student aid programs. Most changes take effect July 1, 2026, applying beginning with the 2026–27 academic year. Here is what returning Aquinas students need to know.

If you enroll in fewer than 12 credits per semester, your annual federal loan eligibility will be prorated based on your actual credit hours — not simply tied to the prior six-credit threshold. Plan your schedule carefully, as this may reduce the loan amount available to you.

Parents taking out their first Parent PLUS Loan on or after July 1, 2026 are subject to a new annual cap of $20,000 per year and a $65,000 lifetime limit per dependent student. Existing borrowers may continue under prior limits for up to three additional years or until the student completes their program, whichever comes first.

If you currently receive financial aid or have active loans, your existing 2025–26 terms remain fully in place. OBBBA changes apply going forward — beginning July 1, 2026 — for new borrowing and new academic year disbursements only.

The federal government is introducing new loan repayment options, including the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Some current repayment plans will be phased out by 2028. If this affects you, we will share updates as more information becomes available from the Department of Education.
 
OBBA Information and Updates

 

 

Documents & Resources

Use the resources below to help navigate your 2026–27 financial aid package.

  • How to Log In & View Your Financial Aid Offer [INSERT LINK] - Step-by-step portal walkthrough guide for returning students
  • Private Loan Options - Information on private and alternative loans if additional funding is needed

 

We’re Here to Help

Our counselors are ready to walk through your award with you.
Phone: (616) 632-2893
Email: financialaid@aquinas.edu

QUESTIONS? CONTACT US

Financial Aid
(616) 632-2893
financialaid@aquinas.edu