Skip Navigation
 

Gather Here. Go Far.

With locations in Tahlequah, Muskogee and Broken Arrow, NSU is Oklahoma’s immersive learning institution. Choose from in-person, blended or online learning options.

Explore Our Degrees

Scholarships

NSU is committed to assisting students in applying and earning scholarships. Whether you are an incoming freshman or a continuing/returning student, NSU has a wide variety of scholarship options for students to choose from.

Learn More

Clubs and Organizations

From networking to leadership opportunities, NSU’s over 80 clubs and organizations allow our students to build lasting relationships while getting the full college experience.

Learn More

Transfer Students

Whether you’re an incoming or current transfer student, NSU’s transfer advisors are available to assist you with transcript evaluation, information on degree programs and support services. NSU is where You Belong.

More Information

Graduate College

Whether transitioning to graduate school or returning to higher education, NSU’s graduate college is your next step. Choose from over 25 master's degrees and several certificate programs.

Learn More
Offices/Financial aid/Types of aid/One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Graduate/ Professional Direct Loan updates

One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Graduate/ Professional Direct Loan updates

Important Disclaimer

  • Northeastern State University does not have the ability to grant exceptions to federal regulations, including those concerning enrollment, Legacy provisions, or federal loan eligibility.
  • This information is based on the current understanding as they relate to federal student financial aid and can be subject to change with little notice. We will continue to update this page as additional guidance is received from the U.S. Department of Education. 

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1) was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. For students, families, and institutions like Northeastern State University, this bill results in significant changes to federal aid (Title IV) programs. Some of those changes impact the Federal Graduate Direct Loans available for graduate and professional students.

Current Limits (before July 1st, 2026)

Annual limit: $20,500
Aggregate or lifetime limit: $138,500 (includes undergraduate borrowing)

Changes Effective July 1st, 2026

Graduate Students:

  • Loans must be prorated based on enrollment status
    • Full-time: 12+ credit hours
    • ¾ time: 11-9 credit hours
    •  Half-time: 6-8 credit hours
    • Below half-time: 1-5 credit hours
    • Full-time: 9+ credit hours
    • Half-time: 5-8 credit hours
    • Below half-time: 1-4 credit hours
  • Enrollment status refers to the academic workload as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled for a defined academic period. 
  • Undergraduate students:
  • Graduate students:
  • Annual limit remains the same: $20,500
  • Aggregate limit: $100,000 (excludes undergraduate borrowing)

 Professional students:

  • Northeastern State University has one program that is federally defined as a “professional” program: The Doctor of Optometry O.D. program. No other NSU programs meet the federal definition at this time. 
  • Loan must be prorated based on enrollment status
  • Enrollment status refers to the academic workload as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled for a defined academic period. 
  • Graduate students:
    • Full-time: 9+ credit hours
    • Half-time: 5-8 credit hours
    • Below half-time: 1-4 credit hours
    • Annual limit: $50,000 
    • Aggregate or lifetime limit: $200,000 (combined graduate and professional borrowing, but excludes undergraduate borrowing)

 

Total Aggregate or lifetime limit: $257,500 across all federal loan programs (includes undergraduate, graduate, and professional borrowing)

 

Institutional Discretion:

Schools may have the ability to set lower annual loan limits by program. Limits must apply uniformly to all students in the program.

Planning Ahead:

For students who need funding outside of the new limits, the options below can be pursued. 

Alternative funding options can include:

Payment plans Scholarships

Home equity or personal loans

Private loans

 

 

Other Federal updates: