Tuition & Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid Updates

Important Updates & Announcements

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces major changes to the Federal Student Loan Programs that are effective July 1, 2026 of the 2026-27 academic year. This bill is significant because it changes some rules related to the federal aid (Title IV) programs, such as new borrowing limits for Parent Plus Loans, reductions to Direct Loans based on enrollment and the elimination of Graduate Plus Loans.

How is the Parent Plus Loan changing?

For new Parent PLUS borrowers who borrow their first Parent PLUS Loan on or after July 1, 2026, the annual borrowing limit is $20,000 per student from all Parent PLUS Loans received. If one parent borrows $20,000 in PLUS loan funds the student cannot receive additional PLUS loans from another parent.
The lifetime borrowing limit is $65,000 per student.

How are Direct Loans changing?

Beginning July 1, 2026, some federal loan eligibility may change based on your enrollment status (how many credits you’re taking). This applies to all undergraduate and graduate students who are borrowing federal Direct Loans—Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Graduate PLUS loans. It also includes students borrowing under prior rules (Before July 1, 2026) with limited exceptions, and students who become new borrowers on or after July 1, 2026.

Federal loan disbursements will be adjusted based on how many credit hours you are enrolled in compared to the number of credit hours your program considers “full-time.” For example: if an undergraduate student takes 6 credit hours in a semester and 12 credit hours are considered full-time for their program, the student would receive 50% of their loan disbursement for that semester.

What is changing for graduate students?

For new graduate borrowers, the Graduate PLUS Loan program is no longer available. Graduate students may borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans only, up to $20,500 per year with a $100,000 total for graduate study.

Is there a lifetime limit on federal student loans now?

Yes, there is a new lifetime federal student loan limit of $257,500. This total includes undergraduate loans and graduate loans student loans. Parent PLUS Loans are not included in this lifetime student cap.

How can I pay for my educational costs if my financial aid does not cover everything?

Apply for as many outside scholarships as possible. Start looking early and check with your parents’ employer, high school guidance counselor, and your church, etc., to see scholarships are available. Please visit our webpage for Community Scholarship information: https://www.uscb.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/scholarships/community-scholarships/index.html

Sign up for the University’s Payment Plan which allows you to divide your educational expenses into convenient monthly payments per semester. To learn more, go to: https://www.uscb.edu/bursars-office/paying-tuition-and-fees/payment-options.html

You may consider borrowing through a private student loan lender but first do some extensive research since we do not have a private lender list. Be sure to read the loan’s terms and conditions carefully and compare interest rates to find the best option. Remember that student loans are not free, and you must repay them with interest.

It’s important to graduate on time, so avoid taking classes that do not contribute toward your degree. In order to graduate on time, we recommend that you take 15 credits per semester.

New and Legacy Borrowers

You are considered a new borrower if your first federal direct loan (including Parent PLUS Loan) is disbursed on or after July 1, 2026. Students may be considered legacy borrowers if they received a federal loan before July 1, 2026 and remained continuously enrolled in the same program of study at the same institution. Undergraduate borrowers may change majors and still be considered a legacy borrower as long as they do not change their degree type.

Legacy borrowers may be able to continue borrowing under previous limits for up to 3 academic years or until completion of the program of study, whichever is less.

USCB Tuition and Fees:
Get a first-class education at a great price.

Group of Students at Fountain Talking

In-State Tuition
(per semester)

Out-of-State Tuition
(per semester)

Tuition

$5,172.00

$10,695.00

Fees**

$368.00

Housing (Single Room in Palmetto Village)

$4,125.00

Meal Plan (Plan 3 - Unlimited + $200 Declining Balance Meal Exchange)

$2,435.00

ESTIMATED TOTAL
PER SEMESTER

$12,100.00

$17,623.00

Nearby Savannah, GA residents (Chatham, Effingham and Bryan counties) receive in-state tuition rates offered at USCB.

*Tuition and fee rates are approved by the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, and are estimated for full-time enrollment (12-16 credit hours). Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. Estimate does not include the cost for books and supplies, and other miscellaneous fees that are course-specific, such as science lab fees, art course fees, and nursing fees.

**Fees included in the calculation above cover services that you automatically receive as a new student at USCB: Technology fee, Campus security fee, Matriculation fee, New student fee. In addition, you will be subject to fees associated with the courses you select and additional services you use— laboratory fees, etc. All full-time students are required to purchase one of the meal plans at USCB. For details of these fees, please access 2025-2026 fees listing.

The information below shows estimated average costs for the 2025-26 school year (fall and spring) and are not a reflection of the tuition. Please only use these figures as cost-estimating tools. Your costs may vary from the details in the spreadsheet depending on your major and unique needs. Housing, food, and other expenses may be based on your choice.

Estimated 2025-26 Costs

Invest in your future

Our financial aid staff will help overcome any financial barriers you might be facing.

Funding options include:

USCB financial aid and scholarship deadlines

October 1: Future and current students can apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Much of USCB's financial aid is offered based on when the FAFSA is received and completed. The school code for USCB: 003450
March 1: USCB strongly encourage students to apply for FAFSA early and have their financial aid file completed by this date. Students who have submitted their FAFSA applications by this date will receive priority consideration for federal and state aid programs with limited funds.
April 1: USCB begins packaging financial aid offers for upcoming fall term.