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Financial Aid for Graduate Students
Graduate students admitted to a degree program may be eligible for federal loans. The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). CMU’s school code is 002243.
Next steps
Once your financial aid offer is ready, you will receive an email with a link to your financial aid portal. Here are helpful steps to walk you through the process of completing the financial aid process here at CMU:
- Check your financial aid portal. For up-to-date information, check your financial aid portal. This is where you can complete missing information, review any official notifications, and take action on the aid you are offered. You use your cmich account’s Global ID and password to access your financial aid portal.
- Understand your offered federal loans. Due to filing your FAFSA, you may have been offered federal loans. It is your responsibility to understand the terms and conditions of these loans. You must either accept/decline/reduce your offered federal student loans as well as complete entrance counseling and/or the Master Promissory Note. More information can be found at this link or by contacting us directly.
- FERPA release. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, our office must receive permission from you to speak with an individual regarding your financial aid via the FERPA release form. Fill out your FERPA release form, which is found within your financial aid portal under the drop-down selection in the documents area. You can contact our office any time to change your release.
- Consumer Information. You are responsible for reviewing your financial aid rights and responsibilities as outlined on the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website. Our website also provides information about federal, state, and CMU resources.
IMPORTANT: Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” makes major updates to federal student aid. Many changes begin July 1, 2026. Below are some highlights of the changes:
Elimination of the Federal Graduate PLUS loan program - Graduate Student
- Beginning with new borrowers in the 2026–27 academic year, the Federal Grad PLUS Loan program is eliminated. Borrowers who qualify for legacy eligibility may continue borrowing under the previous rules for a limited period.
- This loan program previously allowed graduate students the ability to borrow up to their full cost of attendance for both direct and indirect expenses.
- There is a provision that will allow continued participation in the Federal Graduate PLUS loan program if a student is considered Legacy.
- The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan will also be subject to the Schedule of Reductions.
New Federal loan limits (Effective July 1, 2026)
- Eligible graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 annually. Professional students enrolled in an eligible professional degree program, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education, can borrow up to $50,000 annually.
- Eligible graduate students have a lifetime aggregate limit of $100,000. Eligible professional students have a lifetime aggregate limit of $200,000. These lifetime amounts do not include any subsidized and unsubsidized loans borrowed at the undergraduate level.
- All new federal student loan borrowers will have a lifetime borrowing maximum on all federal student loans of $257,500 (this includes undergraduate loans as well as graduate loans).
For current borrowers
Some currently enrolled borrowers may qualify for federal "legacy" protections that allow them to continue borrowing under certain pre-July 1, 2026, federal loan rules. If you meet both criteria below, legacy provisions will apply:
- You began enrollment in a degree-seeking program prior to June 30, 2026, and
- You received a Federal Direct Loan for your current degree program before July 1, 2026.
If you qualify for legacy provisions, you may continue to borrow under the federal loan limits and programs that were in effect before July 1, 2026, for the expected time needed to complete your current degree or three academic years—whichever is shorter.
Legacy provisions
For current borrowers who take out loans before July 1, 2026, and meet the legacy provisions:
- Annual Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits remain unchanged.
- Current graduate borrowers are eligible to still utilize the Federal Grad PLUS Loan (must have borrowed prior to Jul 1, 2026)
Note: Your financial aid offer may not immediately reflect these new federal loan limits. Loan eligibility will be updated as enrollment is finalized before the start of the fall term.
What You Need to Do
- Submit your 2026-27 FAFSA!
- Review your financial aid offer regularly.
- Borrow only what you need.
- Contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid if you have questions about how these changes affect you.
To stay updated on the new regulations due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, please see our OBBBBA page.
Financial aid terms and their meanings
The hardest part of your financial aid offer can often be the new language related to college and money. We’ve created the Financial Aid Glossary to help you understand these terms. Remember, you can always contact us directly by phone at 989-774-3674 or email financialaid@cmich.edu.
FAQs
Selected for verification. What does that mean?
Some students will be notified by the Federal Processing Service (FPS) that their FAFSA applications have been selected for a review process called verification. Check your financial aid portal for further information on requested materials. To find out more about the verification process, click here: Verification | Central Michigan University (cmich.edu)
Do I have to file the FAFSA every year?
Yes! The FAFSA opens each year on October 1, and you will need to file the FAFSA each year to be considered for federal aid. Applying for Financial Aid | Scholarships and Financial Aid | Central Michigan University (cmich.edu)
Where can I get help?
We can help! Reach out to our office by phone (989-774-3674), email (financialaid@cmich.edu), or by appointment (links can be found here: Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid | Central Michigan University (cmich.edu))
Disclaimers
Your award offer is ESTIMATED based on the information provided on your FAFSA, as well as resources that have been reported to us. As rates are set, you report any additional aid, or if you are selected for FAFSA verification, we'll send update notifications to your cmich.edu email account.
Early active participation in your course(s) is important for academic success as well as for financial aid eligibility purposes. Participation is defined as active engagement in the instructional activity related to the course of study. Click here for examples of participation. If you do not begin participation in your course(s) by the 2nd Friday of the term/module that your course falls into (this date will differ depending on your course start date), you will be administratively dropped from that course, and your financial aid will be re-evaluated, which may have an impact on your eligibility.
Keep reading below for further information to help you along the way!
Other resources
Enrollment and academic requirements
Disbursements and refunds
Graduate certificates
The following graduate certificate programs are eligible for federal aid:
- Equity-Centered Teaching and Learning
- Cybersecurity
- Enterprise Systems (SAP)
- Structured Language and Literacy Intervention
- Logistics
- Health Services Administration
- Human Resources Administration
- Project Management
- Public Administration
- Leadership
- Digital Management
- Talent Development
- Emergency Management and Homeland Security
- Engineering Management
- Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organization
- Health Systems Leadership
- International Health
- Postgraduate School Counseling
- Health and Physical Education
