Federal Direct Loans

The Direct Loan program is provided and administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Student loan borrowing cannot exceed the cost of attendance, nor may the student borrow over the annual and lifetime aggregates that are set for Direct Loans by the U.S. Department of Education. The type of loan offered is based upon the results of the FAFSA.  Loans typically do not go into repayment until after a student graduates or stops attending half time.  Interest rates can found here. The federal government charges an origination fee which is taken out of the disbursed amount. Visit the Federal Student Aid's site for origination fees. 

Direct Loan Processing

Students must complete the following steps to accept a Direct Loan:

Step 1:  Accept or Reject the Direct Loan

  • On the A&M-San Antonio homepage, www.tamusa.edu, hover over the Quick Links, and select JagWire.
  • Log in using the Windows Domain account.
  • Select Paying for College.
  • In the Financial Aid Steps section, select Review/Accept Terms & Conditions and Award.
  • Select the appropriate Aid Year and submit.
  • Select the Accept Award Offer tab and finalize award decision.

Step 2:  Complete Entrance Counseling (All new borrowers) 

  • Visit www.studentaid.gov
  • Sign in and select Complete Counseling.
  • In the Entrance Counseling section, select Start.

Step 3:  Complete Electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN) (All borrowers)

  • Visit www.studentaid.gov
  • Sign in and select Complete Master Promissory Note.
  • Select Texas A&M University-San Antonio as your school.
  • The Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships will receive electronic confirmation when the student has completed Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note.

Federal Direct Loan Limits

Annual and lifetime (total debt) limits for subsidized and unsubsidized student loans are mandated by the U.S. Department of Education. The amounts include the outstanding principal balance on the loan(s) and not interest or other charges incurred. Federal Student loan limits can be found here.

Direct Loan Exit Counseling

Upon withdrawing, graduating, dropping below half-time, or simply not returning to A&M-San Antonio, students will be sent information on how to complete Exit Counseling. Upon leaving the institution, a hold is placed on a student’s account to prevent the receipt of an official transcript or diploma. Completion of Exit Counseling will allow for removal of the hold.

Federal Aid Changes

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) was signed into law in July 2025, with notable impacts to federal financial aid. You can view the published legislation here:  view the full text of the OB3.

Federal Aid Changes

The following updates apply to both undergraduate and graduate/professional borrowers starting in the 2026–2027 academic year: 

  • New Lifetime Borrowing Cap: A universal federal borrowing limit of $257,500 now applies to the combined total of all undergraduate and graduate/professional loans.
  • Loan Proration for Part-Time Enrollment: Annual loan limits must be prorated based on "enrollment intensity".
    • If you are enrolled half-time, you may only be eligible for 50% of your typical annual loan limit. 
  • Streamlined Repayment Options: Most existing income-driven repayment (IDR) plans (e.g., SAVE, PAYE) are being phased out for new borrowers.
    • New Plans: Borrowers will primarily choose between a revised Standard Plan and the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
    • Transition Deadline: Current borrowers on older IDR plans must switch to a new plan by July 1, 2028, or they will be automatically enrolled in RAP

Loan Program Updates

  • Student Loan Limits: Base annual and aggregate limits for undergraduate Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans remain unchanged, but PLUS loans will now count toward the new $257,500 lifetime cap.
  • Parent PLUS Hard Caps: Parent borrowing is no longer unlimited up to the full cost of attendance, but now has an annual and aggregate limit.
    • Annual Limit: $20,000 per dependent student per academic year.
    • Aggregate Limit: $65,000 lifetime limit per dependent student.
  • Phase-Out of Graduate PLUS Loans: The Graduate PLUS program is being eliminated for new borrowers.
  • Unsubsidized Loan Caps:
    • Standard Graduate Programs: Annual limit of $20,500; aggregate limit of $100,000.

The "Legacy Provision" (Grandfathering)

  • Students or parents who borrowed federal loans for their current program before July 1, 2026, may continue under the old rules (including Graduate PLUS and higher Parent PLUS limits) for up to three additional academic years or until graduation, whichever comes first.