Announcements
Important FAFSA Update for 2026–27:
The U.S. Department of Education will update the 2026–27 FAFSA system beginning April 26 to implement changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. During this time, colleges will be temporarily unable to receive new or updated FAFSAs, which may delay summer financial aid processing and the release of preliminary aid offers if a FAFSA is not processed before April 26. For billing questions, contact the University Business Office, and students may use JMU’s Net Price Calculator to estimate costs.
The U.S. Department of Education will update the 2026–27 FAFSA system beginning April 26 to implement changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. During this time, colleges will be temporarily unable to receive new or updated FAFSAs, which may delay summer financial aid processing and the release of preliminary aid offers if a FAFSA is not processed before April 26. For billing questions, contact the University Business Office, and students may use JMU’s Net Price Calculator to estimate costs.
- Important Loan Acceptance Deadlines for 2025–26
To ensure timely processing of financial aid for the 2025–26 academic year, please review the loan acceptance deadlines below:
- Direct Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans: Students must accept their loans in MyMadison by May 12, 2026.
-
Parent PLUS & Graduate PLUS Loans: Parent borrowers and graduate students must submit PLUS loan applications at studentaid.gov by May 11, 2026.
- Private Loans: Processing times vary by lender and may take several weeks. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Private loans received after the end of the term may not be eligible for processing.
- If you're planning to take classes in Summer, once a student signs up for classes, they will need to complete a Summer Aid Application found on our Summer Aid page. Take note of the changes regarding the One Big Beautiful Bill.
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Fees and Rates
Interest Rates (Effective July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026)
- Undergraduate Direct Loans:
- Subsidized 6.39%
- Unsubsidized 6.39%
- Graduate Unsubsidized Direct Loan: 7.94%
- Graduate PLUS Direct Loan: 8.94%
- Parent PLUS Direct Loan: 8.94%
Up Front Origination Fees (Effective October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2026)
- Undergraduate Direct Loans: 1.057%
- Graduate Unsubsidized Direct Loan: 1.057%
- Graduate PLUS Direct Loan: 4.228%
- PLUS Direct Loan: 4.228%
Read a further explanation of what an origination fee is provided by the Department of Education. Our Consumer Information also details interest rates and origination fees.
Percentage of JMU Students Who Borrow: 36%*
*Information accessed from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard on September 5, 2023.
Cohort Default Rate (CDR) (Published February 2023)
JMU CDR: 0.8%
National Average CDR [Public 4 yrs (+)]: 1.8%
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Hours of Operation:
Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Summer Hours of Operation:
Mon - Thur 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fri 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Summer Hours of Operation:
Mon - Thur 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fri 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
