Wichita State University
Student Loans
Financial Aid Pro Tip for Student Loans
Worried about how much to borrow in student loans?
Only borrow what you need. Did you know that you can decline all or a portion of your
student loans?
During your time as a student, try to borrow no more than what you will earn during
your first year after your finish college.
Student Loan Information
What is a student loan?
A loan is a type of financial aid that requires repayment. Student loans may be awarded to undergraduate and graduate students. Loans can be need-based or non-need-based, so financial need may not be required for some loan programs. Information included on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized), and the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). Students may also consider other Private/Alternative Loans for additional funding.
Effective for the 2026-27 school year, students in part-time status (11 to six credit hours in the semester for undergraduates, eight to five for graduate students) will receive a reduced amount of federal loan offers than students in full-time status (12 credit hours or more for undergraduates, 9 or more credit hours for graduate students). Students who withdraw from hours during the semester may have their loans adjusted. This federal requirement is called the Schedule of Reductions (SOR). For more information, see Schedule of Student Loan Reductions.
Review Financial Aid Terms & Conditions for additional details and loan eligibility requirements at wichita.edu/finaidpolicy.