APRIL 2026

Happy April, Bulldog Families!



The days are longer, the air feels lighter, and the final month of the academic year is here! Amid papers, exams, and presentations, there’s a spark of excitement—finishing strong and stepping into new opportunities just around the corner. Students often experience a mix of emotions during this busy time, balancing the pressure of deadlines with the anticipation of what’s ahead. 

This is an ideal time to check in with your student about their progress and confirm their end-of-year schedule. By now, students should have a clear understanding of their final commitments and departure dates. The information below provides additional details on end-of-year procedures, and Residence Life staff will host building meetings in the coming weeks to review all aspects of the closing process. 

Throughout the next several weeks, we will also offer a variety of activities and events designed to give students a chance to relax and connect with friends. Highlights include Spring Week and the Spring Carnival, both coordinated by our Dean Activities Board—always favorite traditions on campus. 

For our families of graduating seniors—congratulations!

Commencement is truly one of the most meaningful and celebratory days of the year, honoring the incredible accomplishments of our Bulldogs. Below, you’ll find an update from the Commencement Committee with important details about the day. Graduating students have also received information about Senior Celebration Days, and that page is now live on the Commencement website.  

As a reminder, all Boomer’s Bucks and dining hall swipes will expire at the end of the academic year in May. Students can check their remaining Boomer’s Bucks balance by visiting the cashiers at any on-campus dining location. 

We will share one final newsletter as we close out the semester. Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Wishing you a wonderful April. 

Dean College Seniors Shoutout People Who Have Helped Their Journey! Enjoy!

We’re excited to share that we are currently hiring Orientation Leaders for our summer New Student Orientation (NSO) sessions!

This is a fantastic opportunity for students to build leadership skills, connect with peers, and play an important role in welcoming our newest community members to campus. Orientation Leaders serve as role models and mentors by helping new students and their families feel informed, supported, and excited about their transition to college life. We encourage students who are enthusiastic and eager to get involved to apply!

A list of all active Student Clubs and Organizations sponsored by Student Activities and Leadership Development!

Spring seasons are underway!

Click here for the Dean College Athletics website.

Let's Go Bulldogs!

Changes to Federal Student Loans from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act 

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Affects Federal Student Aid  

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law on July 4, 2025 and introduces significant changes to federal student aid.  The Department of Education has not yet issued a final version of the regulation. We are awaiting guidance on implementation and are closely monitoring how these changes will impact our students and families. 

Key Updates to Federal Loans 

The new law introduces changes to how students and families finance higher education. Below are the important updates that are effective July 1, 2026, and will impact Dean College families: 

• Parents of dependent undergraduate students who take out the Direct Parent PLUS loan will now have an annual borrowing limit of $20,000 per student and a lifetime limit of $65,000 per student. 
• A new income-driven repayment plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will be introduced. For new borrowers, this and a new standard repayment plan will be the available options.  

For Dean College students who plan to pursue graduate studies, they should be aware that the Graduate PLUS Loan program, which allowed graduate and professional students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, has been eliminated for new borrowers.  

Legacy Provisions 

The following legacy provisions apply to current borrowers who take out a federal student or parent loan before July 1, 2026. This means that if you have a Direct Parent PLUS Loan disbursed before July 1, 2026, while your student is enrolled in a program, you may be able to continue to borrow for up to three academic years or until the end of the program, whichever comes first.  

Current Loan Borrowers 

• The annual Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Student Loan borrowing limits remain the same.  
• Parent PLUS borrowers may continue borrowing under the previous annual and lifetime limits for up to three academic years or until the end of their student’s program, whichever comes first. 

New Loan Borrowers 

The following regulations apply to new borrowers who take out their first federal student or parent loan as of July 1, 2026.  

• The annual Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Student Loan borrowing limits remain the same.  
• Parent PLUS Loan borrowers now have an annual borrowing limit of $20,000 per student and a lifetime aggregate limit of $65,000 per student. 

Important Notes: 

• Undergraduate student loan limits remain the same, but the One Big Beautiful Bill Act also introduced a new loan pro-ration that will impact eligibility based on the credits the student is enrolled in annually. Students should consult with SFP prior to dropping courses to fully understand the impact on available borrowing.  
• The implementation date of July 1, 2026, applies to when loan funds are disbursed.  This means the first disbursement of the loan needs to be prior to this date to be eligible for the legacy provisions. Families taking out their first loan for the 2026-27 academic year will have loans disbursed in September of 2026 regardless of when the loan is applied for or approved.  
• For parents planning their annual borrowing, the $65,000 lifetime limit considered equally over a 4-year undergraduate program would actually be $16,250 per academic year.  If a parent borrows the maximum of $20,000 per year for the first three years, their borrowing in the final year would be limited to the $5000 remaining in the lifetime limit.  

What Can You Do Now? 

• Review your current loans. Log in to studentaid.gov to check your borrowing history and lifetime totals.  
• Understand the transition rules. Borrowing before July 1, 2026, may allow continued access to current loan options for a limited time.  
• Budget carefully. With lower federal loan limits for some students, consider exploring private loan options, scholarships, payment plans,  and other possible funding options.  
• Stay informed. SFP will continue to provide updates as the Department of Education releases details.  

The implementation of these changes is a fluid situation. The Department of Education has not yet provided operational guidance to institutions. Student Financial Planning will keep the Dean College community up to date as new information becomes available.