One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) Updates

Office of Financial Aid

Due to the H.R.1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the following changes were made to financial aid programs, impacting both undergraduate and graduate students. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Students who are enrolled less than full-time (12 credits per term) will have their federal loans (and any Parent PLUS loans) proportionally adjusted based on actual enrollment levels.
Dependent undergraduate students: Starting July 1, 2026, new borrowers of the Federal Parent PLUS loans now have loan limits capped at a maximum of $20,000 per year, per child, with a lifetime limit of $65,000 per child. We anticipate that many families who previously borrowed the Parent PLUS loan will be able to find similar alternatives within the private loan market. Families with questions about their specific situation should reach out to the Financial Aid Office.

Students who are enrolled less than full-time (8 credits per term) will have their federal loans proportionally adjusted based on actual enrollment levels.
Federal unsubsidized full-time loan limits remain at $20,500 per academic year, with a lifetime limit of $100,000 (excluding undergraduate loans). Students who previously borrowed a federal loan may borrow under the prior limits for the remaining terms anticipated in the program (based on full time) or three academic years, whichever is less.
Graduate PLUS loans will be eliminated starting on or after July 1, 2026. However, based on enrollment patterns and length of academic programs, some students who previously borrowed a federal loan may retain Graduate PLUS loan eligibility for the remaining terms anticipated in the program (based on full time) or for three academic years, whichever is less.
Students’ lifetime limit on all federal loans is now capped at $257,500.