Federal Financial Aid Updates 2026-2027
A new federal law, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), took effect on July 1 and changed how federal aid is processed. Because of these changes, colleges across the country, including Clemson, are experiencing delays.
What this means for you:
- Your Clemson bill, which will be available next week, will not initially show any federal financial aid.
- Refunds related to federal aid may not be available on the first day of classes.
What is NOT affected:
- Clemson scholarships
- South Carolina scholarships and grants
- Private loans received by Clemson from your lender before July 17 (the suggested deadline was June 30)
New Students
If your federal aid has not been applied to your account by August 13, you should:
- Pay your bill yourself by August 13, or
- Enroll in Clemson’s Two Payment Plan by August 13. The tab is located at the top of the bill.
Please remember that enrolling in a payment plan means you are responsible for paying the full bill. The balance will adjust as aid is applied.
If your pending financial aid, including your Federal Direct Loans, will cover your balance, and Clemson received confirmation of your PLUS or private loan applications by July 17, your $150 payment plan enrollment fee will be waived automatically (within one business day of enrolling in the payment plan).
Important: Under the new federal law, Parent PLUS Loans are limited to $20,000 per student per academic year.
Returning Students
If your federal aid has not been applied to your account by August 13, you should:
- Pay your bill yourself by August 13, or
- Enroll in Clemson’s Two Payment Plan by August 13. The tab is located at the top of the bill.
Please remember that enrolling in a payment plan means you are responsible for paying the full bill. The balance will adjust as aid is applied.
If your pending financial aid, including your Federal Direct Loans, will cover your balance, and Clemson received confirmation of your PLUS or private loan applications by July 17, your $150 payment plan enrollment fee will be waived automatically (within one business day of enrolling in the payment plan).
Important: Under the new federal law, some returning students – particularly undergraduate students who have been enrolled more than four years and graduate students who have been enrolled longer than their program’s published length – may have limited or no remaining eligibility for Federal Parent or Graduate PLUS Loans. Students and families affected by these new federal borrowing limits may wish to explore private education loan options.
Help Resources
We know students and families expect all financial aid to be applied to their bill and any refund to be available by the first day of classes. We understand these delays are frustrating. Our staff is working as quickly as possible to process aid under the new federal requirements.
To help us process aid faster, please monitor your iROAR account rather than making direct inquiries about when your aid will be approved. If you have questions unrelated to the OBBB delays, please expect a longer response time.
