If you’ve ever been confused by your financial aid package at Governors State University, you’re not alone — and the people who run the Financial Aid Office want you to know that you can (and should) walk in and get answers before problems snowball.

In an interview, John Perry, executive director of Financial Aid/Scholarships & Registration, and Mathew Zarris, associate director of Financial Aid, explained how aid works at GSU, what’s changing, and why sitting down with them can save you from a lot of stress — and possibly from losing money.

“When students hear ‘financial aid,’ they often think it’s coming from one place,” Perry said. “In reality, it’s a mix of federal, state, institutional, foundation, and even private sources — each with its own rules to keep it.”

That mix can include Pell Grants, MAP Grants, tuition waivers, athletic scholarships, and money from the GSU Foundation. The Financial Aid Office’s job, Perry explained, is to act as “a hub,” pulling all these sources together into a single package tailored to each student.

Zarris noted that’s why two students might both “get financial aid” but have very different award amounts and requirements. “Everyone’s situation is unique. That’s why we always say: come talk to us,” he said.

When and How You Get Your Aid

Perry broke down the disbursement timeline: “We start disbursing about a month into the term, after Census Date. That’s when we know students are locked into their courses. We apply aid to tuition, fees, housing, and bookstore charges first. Anything left over gets refunded to you.”

Disbursement isn’t a one-time event — it’s a rolling process. “We keep running it every week to catch late awards or changes,” Zarris said. “But if you wait until halfway through the semester to turn in your FAFSA, you’re going to be waiting for that money, too.”

The “Big Beautiful Bill” and Graduate Students

Starting in the 2026–27 academic year, the new federal “Big Beautiful Bill” will eliminate the Graduate PLUS Loan — a key funding source for students in high-cost, year-round programs like Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Physical Therapy (DPT).

“That’s going to create some challenges,” Zarris said. “Those students often borrow the maximum $20,500 in direct loans for fall and spring and then rely on Graduate PLUS Loans to cover summer. Without that, they’ll have to look at private loans or other funding.”

Perry emphasized that private student loans are available and transparent through GSU’s partnership with Elm, a service listing lenders, rates, and terms. “It’s not our first choice for students, but it’s better to know the options than to feel stuck,” he said.

Graduate Assistantships and Work Study Still Strong

Graduate assistantships remain institutionally funded and typically cover six credit hours plus a monthly stipend. “It helps, but it won’t completely replace the PLUS Loan for heavy course loads,” Perry said.

On a brighter note, Federal Work Study funding remains untouched by the new bill. “We get about $450,000 to $500,000 a year, and the university adds more so we can hire even more students,” Perry said. “Students who work on campus are statistically more likely to graduate.”

Loan Changes for All Students

A major change for both undergrad and grad students: federal loans soon will be prorated based on enrollment. “It’s like how the Pell Grant works,” Zarris explained. “If you’re not full-time, you won’t get the full loan amount.”

That could hurt students at more expensive schools, but Perry said GSU’s affordability works in its favor. “Our price point means students won’t need to borrow as much as they would at a private school. That’s going to make us even more competitive.”

Some students worry about losing Pell Grant eligibility if they receive too much scholarship money, especially in dual-degree programs. Perry said that’s rare.

“We’re talking about unicorn cases,” he said. “Even if you bump up against the cost-of-attendance limit, we reduce loans or work study first before touching Pell or MAP. It’s a good problem to have — it means your costs are covered.”

What You Can Do Right Now

Both Perry and Zarris stressed that students can take action today to protect their aid:

• File your FAFSA early to lock in MAP Grant funding.
• Apply for both GSU-specific and outside scholarships through Scholarship Universe.
• Watch your email for deadlines from the Financial Aid Office.
• Reach out before you have a balance you can’t pay.

“Every year, we see students miss out on thousands because they didn’t apply on time,” Perry said. “An $8,000 MAP Grant goes a long way here — but you can lose it if you’re late.”

“Come Talk to Us” — No Appointment Needed

If there’s one thing Perry and Zarris want students to remember, it’s this: show up before you’re in trouble.

“You don’t need an appointment,” Zarris said. “Pop in, call, email, or even use our online chat. Just don’t wait until you’re staring at a huge balance.”

Perry agreed: “If you’re panicking about affording school, come sit down with us. We’ll go through your options. We’ll look at your housing, your aid, everything — and figure out how to make it work.”

They even encourage new students to bring their parents to early meetings. “A second set of ears can help,” Perry said. “We’ve been here for over 12 years — we’ve seen almost every situation, and we’ll either know the answer or find it for you.”

The Bottom Line

Perry calls this “a golden era” for undergraduates at GSU. “You can realistically graduate with little to no debt. That’s rare today. But it only works if you’re proactive and communicate with us.”

Zarris added: “Our goal is to help you cross the finish line — and with as little debt as possible. Don’t assume your situation is hopeless. Come see us first.”

Visit the Financial Aid Office in person, call, email, or use online chat. No appointment needed.

Search the GSU Faculty & Staff Directory for contact info for John Perry and Mathew Zarris.