Federal Graduate Loan Changes Beginning July 1, 2026
Information current as of May 1, 2026
Federal legislation will change how graduate and professional students borrow federal loans beginning July 1, 2026. These changes affect Graduate PLUS Loans, federal borrowing limits, and repayment options.
Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Masters of Athletic Training (MAT) or PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences should review the information below carefully and consult the University Financial Aid Office with questions.
DPT/MAT/PhD students entering the program AFTER July 1, 2026
Students who first borrow federal loans on or after July 1, 2026, will be considered new borrowers under federal law.
If legislation is enacted without changes:
- Graduate PLUS Loans will no longer be available to new borrowers
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans will remain available, but will be subject to semester and lifetime borrowing caps
- Repayment options will be restructured into two federal plans in the coming years
Borrowing limits differ for graduate programs and professional programs. Currently, the U.S. Department of Education does not formally designate the DPT or MAT as a professional program for federal loan purposes. Final clarification is still pending. If the DPT/MAT programs remain categorized as non-professional graduate programs, lower aggregate borrowing limits would apply. If federal classification changes, different limits may apply.
Loan limits:
Annual and Aggregate (lifetime) limits:
Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 annually.
-
Borrowing limit for a 3-year DPT graduate program: $61,500
-
Borrowing limit for a 2-year MAT graduate program: $41,000
-
Lifetime limit for graduate education: $100,000
Because these determinations are made at the federal level, the University does not control loan caps or repayment structure.
Because federal guidance is still evolving, students should work closely with Financial Aid to understand options and implications before making borrowing decisions.