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Office of Student Financial Services

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Front entrance of Margaret Murray Washington Hall, a round brick building with white columns and a red dome.

"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." – Booker T. Washington

Funding Your ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï Journey

The Office of Student Financial Services is committed to helping students and families navigate the financial aid process and identify resources that make a ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï education affordable and accessible.

Welcome to Student Financial Services

At ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï, we believe that finances should not stand in the way of achieving your educational goals. Our Office of Student Financial Services is dedicated to removing financial barriers, providing access to higher education, and delivering exceptional service to students and families.

Whether you are a prospective student, a current student, or a parent, our team is here to assist you with understanding and managing your financial aid options. We are committed to making the financial aid process as simple, transparent, and efficient as possible.

Financial Aid Counselors are available to help you explore:

  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Federal Direct Loans
  • Federal Work-Study Opportunities
  • Scholarships and Grants
  • Financial Aid Policies and Eligibility Requirements
Mission Statement
The ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï Office of Student Financial Services strives to remove financial barriers, provide access to higher education, and serve students and families with courteous, efficient, and accurate financial services while complying with all federal, state, and University policies.

For detailed information regarding financial aid regulations and institutional requirements, please visit our Financial Aid Policies Page .

Need Assistance?

Our team is available to answer your questions and help guide you through the financial aid process.

  • Location: Margaret Murray Washington Hall
  • Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Federal School Code: 001050

Schedule an Appointment

Need to meet with a Financial Aid Counselor? Schedule an appointment online at your convenience.

Important 2026-2027 Federal Aid Changes

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

This table summarizes major federal financial aid changes affecting students and parents for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Topic What’s Changing for 2026–2027 What It Means for You
Parent PLUS Loans New $20,000 annual limit and $65,000 lifetime limit Parents can no longer borrow up to the full cost of attendance. Families may need outside scholarships or payment plans.
Legacy Borrower Rule Parent must have borrowed a PLUS Loan for YOU before July 1, 2026 to keep old unlimited rules If your parent never borrowed for you before July 1, 2026, the new $20,000 cap applies.
Pell Grant Eligibility New rules for calculating Pell; outside scholarships that fully cover COA may eliminate Pell Pell may change depending on your SAI and scholarships you receive.
FAFSA Changes New asset rules; FAFSA opens Oct. 1, 2025 FAFSA may feel different, but still required every year.
Outside Scholarships Strongly encouraged UNCF, TMCF, departmental, alumni, and private scholarships will be more important.
 
 

GRADUATE STUDENTS

2026-2027 Graduate Student Loan Changes Under Federal Law
Topic What’s Changing for 2026–2027 What It Means for You
Graduate PLUS Loans Eliminated for new borrowers starting July 1, 2026 You cannot use Grad PLUS to cover remaining costs.
Legacy Borrower Rule Only applies if you borrowed a Grad PLUS before July 1, 2026 If you borrowed before the deadline, you may continue under old rules for up to 3 years.
Federal Loan Limits New annual limit: $20,500 You may need private loans or assistantships to cover remaining costs.
Aggregate Limit New lifetime limit: $100,000 (not counting undergrad loans) Borrowing room is more restricted than before.
 
 

PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS

(e.g., Veterinary Medicine)

the table is about professional and graduate student borrowing changes.
Topic What’s Changing for 2026–2027 What It Means for You
Graduate/Professional PLUS Loans Eliminated for new borrowers You cannot rely on PLUS Loans to cover high-cost programs.
Legacy Borrower Rule Only applies if you borrowed a PLUS Loan before July 1, 2026 If not, you must follow the new limits.
Federal Loan Limits New annual limit: $50,000 Many professional programs cost more than this — expect to need private loans or scholarships.
Aggregate Limit New lifetime limit: $200,000 This is the maximum federal borrowing allowed for your program.

 

Important Deadline for Parent PLUS Loan Borrowers

June 30, 2026

If you have a Parent PLUS Loan, June 30, 2026 is an important deadline.

What You Need to Know

Parent PLUS Loans do not automatically qualify for income-driven repayment plans.
To access these options, the loan must be:

  1. Consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan, and
  2. Enrolled in the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan

Important Change

Beginning July 1, 2026, borrowers who have not completed consolidation by June 30, 2026 will no longer be able to access income-driven repayment options for Parent PLUS Loans.

Why This Matters

If you miss this deadline:

  • You will not be able to enroll in income-driven repayment plans
  • You may be limited to the standard repayment plan (higher monthly payments)
  • You may lose access to long-term forgiveness options

What You Should Do Now

Before June 30, 2026:

  • ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï for consolidation at StudentAid.gov
  • Enroll in the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan
  • Complete any required documentation

Key Takeaway

To keep access to flexible repayment and potential loan forgiveness options, Parent PLUS borrowers should complete consolidation by June 30, 2026.

 

Calculating Aid

½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï for Aid

Understanding Cost of Attendance

Important for Students & Families

Review the “Direct Costs” section of your Cost of Attendance to understand what must be paid to the University for Fall financial clearance.
Financial aid is awarded for the year, but students are billed by semester.

Understanding Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the total cost to attend ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï for one academic year. It appears on the first page of your Financial Aid Offer Letter and is designed to help students and families plan financially.

📌 Important: The Cost of Attendance is not a bill.

What the Cost of Attendance Includes

The Cost of Attendance is made up of two types of costs: Direct Costs and Indirect Costs.

Direct Costs (University‑Billed Charges)

Direct costs are charges billed directly by ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï. These costs give students and parents the clearest picture of what must be paid to the University.

Examples of direct costs include:

  • Tuition
  • Required student fees
  • On‑campus housing (if applicable)
  • Meal plan (if applicable)
  • Technology and activity fees
  • Student health insurance (if applicable)
  • Required book programs

✅ Direct costs help determine what is needed for financial clearance.

Indirect Costs (Estimated Living Expenses)

Indirect costs are estimated expenses a student may have while attending ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï but are not billed by the University.

Examples include:

  • Books and supplies not covered by a book program
  • Transportation
  • Personal expenses
  • Medical or dental expenses

✅ These costs help families plan, but they will not appear on a University bill.

Financial Aid vs. Billing: What to Know

Understanding the difference between financial aid awarding and student billing is very important:

  • ✅ Financial Aid is awarded for the full academic year (Fall and Spring)
  • ✅ Students are billed by semester

This means:

  • Your Financial Aid Offer Letter and COA show yearly amounts
  • The Bursar’s Office will bill you for the Fall semester only
  • Spring semester charges will be billed later
  • Financial aid is applied by semester, not all at once
How the Cost of Attendance Helps You

The Cost of Attendance helps students and families:

  • Understand the estimated total cost for the year
  • Use direct costs to estimate Fall charges
  • Identify early if additional funding may be needed
  • Plan ahead for Fall and Spring expenses separately
✅ Key Takeaway

The Cost of Attendance is a planning tool, not a bill.
It helps families understand estimated yearly costs, while actual charges are billed by semester.

For questions about your Cost of Attendance, Financial Aid Offer Letter, or billing, please contact:

📧 finaid@tuskegee.edu

FAQ's

📋 What Is Financial Aid?

Financial aid is funding that helps students pay for educational expenses such as tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, and other costs associated with attending college.

  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
  • Federal Work-Study
  • Scholarships
  • Federal Student Loans
  • Parent PLUS Loans

The first step to receiving financial aid is completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

📝 When Should I Complete the FAFSA?

Students should complete the FAFSA as early as possible each year.

  • Maximizes eligibility for limited funding programs
  • Reduces processing delays
  • Helps ensure aid is available before classes begin
  • Allows more time to resolve FAFSA issues

Even if you think you may not qualify, we strongly encourage all students to complete the FAFSA.

💼 What Is Federal Work-Study?

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides eligible students with part-time employment opportunities while enrolled in college.

  • Earn money to help with educational expenses
  • Gain valuable work experience
  • Develop professional skills
⚠️ If My FAFSA Says I'm Eligible for Work-Study, Am I Automatically Awarded It?

No.

Eligibility for Federal Work-Study on the FAFSA does not guarantee that you will receive a Work-Study award.

To receive Federal Work-Study:

  • You must be eligible based on FAFSA results.
  • Funding must be available.
  • The Financial Aid Office must award the funding.
  • The award must appear on your Financial Aid Award Letter.

Because Federal Work-Study funds are limited, many eligible students may not receive an award.

🔍 How Do I Know If I Was Awarded Federal Work-Study?

Review your Financial Aid Award Letter.

  • If Federal Work-Study appears on your award offer, you have been awarded funding.
  • If it does not appear on your award offer, you have not been awarded Work-Study at this time.
🎓 What Is a Federal Direct Subsidized Loan?

A Subsidized Loan is a federal student loan awarded to eligible undergraduate students with financial need.

  • The government pays the interest while you are enrolled at least half-time.
  • The government pays the interest during approved deferment periods.
  • Available only to eligible undergraduate students.
💰 What Is a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan?

An Unsubsidized Loan is a federal student loan available to eligible students regardless of financial need.

  • Interest begins accruing immediately after disbursement.
  • No financial need requirement.
  • Available to undergraduate and graduate students.
👨‍👩‍👧 What Is a Parent PLUS Loan?

The Parent PLUS Loan is a federal loan that allows parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow funds to help cover educational expenses.

  • The parent is the borrower.
  • Credit approval is required.
  • The parent is responsible for repayment.
  • The student is not responsible for repaying the Parent PLUS Loan.
✔️ Why Haven't My Student Loans Applied to My Bill?

First-time borrowers must complete both of the following at StudentAid.gov:

  • Entrance Counseling
  • Master Promissory Note (MPN)

Federal student loans cannot be disbursed until these requirements are completed.

📚 What Is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?

Federal regulations require students to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible for financial aid.

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
  • Successfully complete at least 75% of attempted coursework
  • Finish your degree within the allowable timeframe

Students who fail to meet SAP standards may lose eligibility for federal financial aid.

🏆 Do Scholarships Automatically Renew Each Year?

Not always. Most scholarships have renewal requirements.

  • Maintain the required GPA
  • Complete required credit hours
  • Meet SAP standards
  • Remain continuously enrolled when applicable

Students should review the specific scholarship requirements each year.

What Is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)?

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduced changes to certain federal student aid programs beginning in 2026.

These changes affect federal loan programs, borrowing limits, repayment options, and Parent PLUS borrowing limits.

Students should regularly review communications from the Financial Aid Office regarding federal aid updates.

🔄 What Financial Aid Changes Have Occurred Under the OBBBA?

Undergraduate Students

  • Annual federal loan limits generally remain the same.
  • Loan eligibility may be adjusted based on enrollment status.

Graduate Students

  • New federal borrowing limits have been established.
  • Graduate PLUS Loans are being phased out for new borrowers.

Parent PLUS Loans

  • New annual and aggregate borrowing limits apply.

Additional guidance and updates will continue to be provided by the Office of Financial Aid.

📞 Need Additional Assistance?

If you have questions about your FAFSA, financial aid offer, scholarships, loans, or work-study eligibility, please contact the ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï Office of Financial Aid.

We're here to help you navigate the financial aid process and understand your options for funding your education.

Summer 2026 Financial Aid

 

📘 Understanding Summer Financial Aid at ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï

(AY 2025–2026)

Summer financial aid can feel confusing, so this guide breaks it down step by step and explains how aid works for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, with examples you can follow.

✅ STEP 1: ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï for Summer School (Undergraduate Students)

Undergraduate students must complete a Summer School Application.

How to apply:
  1. Visit the Financial Aid website
  2. Click on Forms
  3. Complete the Summer School Application(located under forms tab)
  4. Email the completed form to:

⚠️ Financial aid cannot be reviewed until this application is submitted.

🕘 Important Processing Note:
All Summer School Applications will be reviewed and processed after final grades are posted and available in the system.

✅ STEP 2: FAFSA Requirement (All Students)

Financial aid for Summer 2026 is based on your 2025–2026 FAFSA.

👉 Summer aid uses any remaining eligibility from the fall and spring semesters.

If you did not submit the 2025–2026 FAFSA, you must do so to be considered.

✅ STEP 3: Enrollment Requirements for Summer Aid

To receive most types of summer financial aid, you must be enrolled in:

✅ At least 6 credit hours

Important Pell Grant rules:
  • Pell Grant can be used in the summer if you are eligible
  • Pell does NOT pay for repeated courses
  • Pell eligibility depends on what you have already used during fall and spring
🎓 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: HOW LOANS WORK IN THE SUMMER

Summer loans are not new loans — they are based on what you have left from your yearly limit.

📌 Federal Loan Limits by Classification (2025–2026)
Annual Federal Student Loan Limits for Dependent Undergraduate Students
Classification Subsidized Unsubsidized Total
Freshman $3,500 $2,000 $5,500
Sophomore $4,500 $2,000 $6,500
Junior/Senior $5,500 $2,000 $7,500

📌 Additional Unsubsidized Loan (Parent PLUS Denial):

  • Freshman/Sophomore: up to $4,000
  • Junior/Senior: up to $5,000
✅ SUMMER LOAN EXAMPLE (UNDERGRADUATE)

Example: Freshman Student

  • Borrowed for Fall & Spring:
    • $3,500 Subsidized
    • $2,000 Unsubsidized
  • Parent applied for Parent PLUS Loan and was denied
  • Student received additional unsubsidized loan: $4,000
  • Student completes 30 or more earned credits by the end of Spring

✅ Result for Summer:

  • Student is now classified as a Sophomore
  • Eligible for an additional $1,000 in Subsidized Loan for summer
  • Eligibility increases based on new classification
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Parent PLUS Loan Rules for Summer
  • Parents may apply for a Parent PLUS Loan for summer
  • If your parent was denied PLUS during Fall/Spring and you already received the additional unsubsidized loan, you cannot receive additional unsubsidized loan again for summer
  • ✅ However:
    • If your parent was denied earlier but is approved for summer, the Parent PLUS Loan can be used for the summer semester
🎓 GRADUATE STUDENTS
  • Eligible for Unsubsidized Loan up to $20,500 per academic year
  • If you did not borrow the full amount during the fall and spring:
    • You may borrow the remaining balance for summer
  • You may also apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan for summer
🎓 PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS
  • Aid eligibility follows program‑specific loan limits
  • Unsubsidized Loan and Graduate PLUS Loan options apply
  • Summer eligibility is based on remaining annual limits

Your Financial Aid Counselor can help with program‑specific questions.

✅ FINAL REMINDERS
  • ✔ 2025–2026 FAFSA is required
  • ✔ Must be enrolled in 6 credit hours or more
  • ✔ Summer aid uses remaining eligibility, not new aid
  • ✔ Pell does not cover repeated courses
  • ✔ Summer applications are processed after grades post
📩 QUESTIONS OR HELP?

📧 finaid@tuskegee.edu
📞 Or contact your assigned Financial Aid Counselor

 

Financial Aid Policies

Financial Aid Policies

Student Self Service Links

Inceptia Verification Gateway

Who is Inceptia? ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï has partnered with Inceptia, a nonprofit organization, to help you complete verification in stride with a solution called Verification Gateway. This is important: it's your responsibility to act quickly to provide all the items your school has requested. Until verification is complete, your school can't finalize your aid package, meaning you could miss out on money if you delay.

Why do I have to do this?
Your FAFSA was selected by the Department of Education (ED) for a review process called verification. This is not uncommon and it’s not a bad thing – the ED just wants to make sure your FAFSA information is correct before federal financial aid is awarded. You will only need to verify your information once this academic year. Watch the to learn more.
 

Where can I submit the documents requested by Inceptia?

You can submit your documents by logging into the Inceptia portal through this link: . If you don’t already have an account, you will need to create one. Once you’re logged in, you’ll be able to upload your documents easily.

If you have any questions or need assistance at any point, Inceptia’s team is happy to help you make the process smoother. Just reach out to them, and they will guide you through it.

Why was I selected for verification after completing my FAFSA?

You were selected for verification because the U.S. Department of Education or our school’s financial aid office randomly reviews certain applications to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on your FAFSA. This is a standard part of the financial aid process designed to confirm that the data used to determine your aid eligibility is correct. Being selected does not mean there is a problem; it’s just part of the process to verify your information.

 What do I do now,after being selected for verification?
Please look out for an email from Inceptia with instructions on how to proceed. Follow the steps provided in that email, which will include uploading the requested documents through the Inceptia portal. Make sure to submit all the necessary documents promptly to complete the verification process.

Staff

Executive Director

Mr. Advergus James
(O) 334-727-8088
(E) ajames@tuskegee.edu

Financial Aid Counselor Last Name (A-H) VACANT

VACANT

Financial Aid Counselor Last Name (I-Q)

Ms. Mia Harris
(O) 334-727-8353
(E)mharris@tuskegee.edu

Financial Aid Counselor Last Name (R-Z)

Ms. Gwendolyn Johnson
(O) 334-724-4860
(E) gjohnson@tuskegee.edu

Work study Coordinator

Mrs. Hollie Haynes
(O) 334-724-4301
(E) hhaynes@tuskegee.edu

Customer Service Representatives

Mr. Dave Ford, Jr - Customer Service Specialist
(O) 334-727-8738
(E) dford@tuskegee.edu

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Contact Us

MAILING ADDRESS:
½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï
Student Financial Services


PHONE:
Toll-Free: 1-800-416-2831
Phone: 334-727-8088
Fax: 334-727-5750

EMAIL:
finaid@tuskegee.edu