Loans
The U.S. Department of Education administers and oversees several loan programs designed to offer low-interest funding to students and their parents who need assistance covering the cost of education. These include Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct PLUS Loans.
These federal loans offer fixed interest rates, built-in consumer protections, and flexible repayment options that are not available through private loan programs. All loans must be accepted through PAWS before the end of the semester to be disbursed.
ECMC Learning: Financial Literacy for Students
CSU Pueblo partners with ECMC Learning to provide an interactive financial literacy platform available to all students. We encourage you to take proactive steps—ask for help, educate yourself, and take control of your finances.
The platform includes short courses, articles, videos, and calculators on topics such as:
- Budgeting, saving, and investing
- Scholarships and financial aid
- Career development
- Managing student loan debt
Visit the ECMC Learning platform , create an account, and start exploring to strengthen your financial confidence.
Questions or Need Assistance?
Contact Student Financial Services
📧 financialaid@csupueblo.edu
☎ 719-549-2753 | 📍 Administration Building, Room 203
One Big Beautiful Bill Act
With the implementation of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted in July 2025, Federal Student Loan limits and awarding processes have changed, though no changes have been made for the 2025-2026 academic year. Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, please note the following:
Undergraduate Students:
- Independent undergraduate students are still eligible for $57,500 with a maximum of $23,000 in Subsidized Loan.
- Dependent undergraduate students are still eligible for $31,000 with a maximum of $23,000 in Subsidized Loan
Graduate Students:
- Annual limits of Unsubsidized Loan for Graduate Students remain at $20,500
- Graduate student lifetime loan eligibility is changing to $100,000 not including Undergraduate loans borrowed.
Loan Proration Requirements:
- With the implementation of this Act, beginning July 1, 2026 student loans will be prorated for part-time enrollment. As a result, students enrolled in less than 12 credit hours in a semester will receive a reduced disbursement of their Direct Loans. Below is an example of how student loans will be awarded for part-time enrollment:
A freshman student is enrolled in 9 credit hours for the Fall semester. This freshman student would be eligible for $1750 of Subsidized Loan:
9 credit hours ÷ 12 credit hours for Full-Time Enrollment = 75%
75% × $1750 = $1,313 Subsidized Loan disbursement for the Fall semester
- Students cannot receive more than 50% of their annual loan limit in a single semester.
- Graduate Unsubsidized Loans will also be prorated with 9 credit hours being considered Full-Tim.
Parent Plus Loans
Beginning July 1, 2026, Parent Plus loans will have an annual limit of $20,000 and a lifetime limit of $65,000 per dependent student. If a parent has borrowed a PLUS loan prior to July 1, 2026, the student may continue under existing rules for up to 3 additional years, or until the student completes their program, whichever comes first.
Graduate Plus Loans
The Graduate PLUS Loan program will no longer be available to new borrowers. If a borrower has a Grad PLUS Loan made prior to July 1, 2026, the borrower can continue to receive Grad PLUS Loans for 3 additional years or the remainder of their program, whichever comes first.
