Financial Aid
One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)
Financial Aid Changes Effective 2026-2027
On July 4, 2025, HR 1 – Public Law No. 119–21, known as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or OBBB (One Big Beautiful Bill), was signed into law. This legislation introduces many changes to financing higher education.
Key Changes at a Glance (Effective 2026–2027):
- Parent PLUS Loan limits
- Part-Time Enrollment and Loan Eligibility
- Graduate PLUS Loans phased out
- New loan limits for graduate/professional students
- New federal loan repayment plans
We are awaiting official guidance from the Department of Education; however, the Office of Financial Aid has provided a summary below of how this law may impact financial aid beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. As of the last update made to this page (March 30, 2026), the Department of Education has not yet provided official guidance. The information contained here is based on guidance provided by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), an organization which has worked closely with the Department of Education to obtain and share preliminary information with institutions.
Please note that final determinations and interpretations of the law may be updated to reflect official Department of Education guidance once provided.
Higher education is an invaluable investment.
At Benedictine University, we believe that the education we provide our students will yield valuable returns throughout the course of each student’s lifetime.
Benedictine University’s Office of Financial Aid is dedicated to assisting students and their families as they make this investment in themselves and their education. By helping students understand the resources available to them, we bridge the gap between the student’s cost of attendance and their ability to afford their degree. As a result, financial aid encompasses many different types of funding such as Benedictine University scholarships, federal and state grants, work-study opportunities, and federal and private student loans.
Every student’s financial background is different, and we pride ourselves on working with all students to help them make their Benedictine University education a possibility. We encourage all of our students and their families to use our website as a resource to understand all of the options available for funding their education.
IBHE ESHI Emergency Funding
Benedictine University has received a limited allocation of emergency funding through the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s (IBHE) End Student Housing Insecurity (ESHI) grant program to support students facing urgent financial hardship. These funds are available immediately, but funding is very limited and will only be available for a short period of time until all grant resources have been exhausted.
Lisle Campus students experiencing financial challenges related to essential basic needs—including housing/rent, utilities, food, clothing, transportation, books, or healthcare services—are encouraged to apply as soon as possible using the emergency assistance application below:
The purpose of this program is to help students remain enrolled and supported during periods of unexpected financial instability. Applications will be reviewed as quickly as possible, and assistance will be distributed based on demonstrated need and available funding.
Net Price Calculator
We are excited for you to discover the value and affordability Benedictine University education provides. Our calculator is designed to give you an estimate of how much and what types of financial aid you might qualify for when attending Benedictine University full time.
The 2026-27 FAFSA Application is now available at:
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Resources
Financial Literacy, Information & Forms
Learn more about how to plan your investment in Benedictine University. Find tools for budgeting your education costs and using credit to pay for it. Parents will also find resources to help them manage their child’s tuition costs. Further detailed information regarding each subject and retrieval of PDF forms are available by clicking each titled box.
Loan Information
Benedictine University offers various loan options, but we encourage minimal borrowing. Explore payment options to potentially reduce your need for loans (check our Business Office resources!). Track your borrowing history at studentaid.gov and explore repayment options there as well.
FAQs
Browse through questions about the cost of attendance, eligibility requirements, state and federal policies, students’ rights and responsibilities and more!
Scholarships
You should be focusing on your education, not how you’re going to pay for it. Scholarships are a great way to help pay for your education. Benedictine offers several scholarships to help meet the financial needs of our students.
For further questions, or to set up an appointment with the Office of Financial Aid, please contact us at [email protected] or (630) 829-6100. Our office is located on the 2nd floor of Goodwin Hall.