There are no changes in eligibility for undergraduate student loans. Loan funds borrowed as an undergraduate will count toward the new lifetime borrowing limits.

This program allows credit worthy parents to borrow federal loans for their dependent undergraduate students. Beginning July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS Loans (all parents combined) will be capped at $20,000 per student per year, with a $65,000 lifetime limit per dependent student.

Legacy Provision: ED has confirmed that the requirement is only that a Direct Loan was originated prior to July 1, 2026, and that the type of loan does not matter. Provided that the student or parent has borrowed a federal loan before July 1, 2026, the parent may continue to borrow* under current loan limits for 3 more academic years or until the student completes their current program, whichever is less.

*Eligibility to borrow funds in the PLUS Loan is still contingent upon an approved loan application credit check or utilizing an approved Endorser.

What do I need to do?

If you or your student has not yet borrowed a federal loan for the student’s current program and you would like to be grandfathered into the current Parent PLUS Loan limits, we encourage the student or the parent to borrow a small amount by April 15, 2026, to allow time for processing before the end of the spring 2026 semester and allow the loan to disburse before the July 1, 2026, deadline. Students can contact our office for further instructions for borrowing student loan funds, or the parent can submit the PLUS Loan application through studentaid.gov.

This loan program currently allows graduate students to borrow a Graduate PLUS Loan up to the cost of attendance for their program of study. Beginning July 1, 2026, this loan will no longer be available to NEW borrowers. 

Students enrolled prior to July 1, 2026:

• Students who borrow a federal loan (Direct Unsubsidized or Grad PLUS Loan) before the deadline of July 1, 2026, may continue borrowing in the Grad PLUS Loan. You may also continue to borrow in the Direct Unsubsidized loan while also maintaining your full eligibility of Grad PLUS Loan.
• You may continue to borrow the Grad PLUS Loan for your current program.
  • Eligibility for this loan is contingent upon continuous enrollment in your current program and will no longer be available if you cease enrollment or change programs.
  • Eligibility to borrow funds in the Grad PLUS Loan is still contingent upon an approved loan application credit check or utilizing an approved Endorser.
  • Eligibility remains through the completion of your program or until June 30, 2029, whichever comes first.

Students enrolling after July 1, 2026:

• The Grad PLUS Loan will no longer be available to students beginning enrollment in a graduate program after July 1, 2026. The Federal Unsubsidized Loan will be available.

What do I need to do?

If you have not yet borrowed a federal loan for your current program and would like the option to use the Grad PLUS Loan in a future year, we encourage students to borrow a small federal loan amount by April 15, 2026, to allow time for processing before the end of the spring 2026 semester and allow the loan to disburse before the July 1, 2026, deadline. Students can contact our office for further instructions for borrowing unsubsidized loan funds, or the student can submit the PLUS Loan application through studentaid.gov.

If you have not borrowed the Federal Unsubsidized Loan for your current program before July 1, 2026, or begin enrollment in a graduate program after July 1, 2026, the following annual and aggregate Unsubsidized Loan limits will apply:

• Graduate Students: $20,500 annually (unchanged) and $100,000 aggregate loan limit
• Professional Students (PsyD program): $50,000 annually and $200,000 aggregate loan limit
• Combined Graduate and Professional Students: $200,000 aggregate
• Lifetime limit of $257,500 for all federal student loans including undergraduate loans

Current borrowers:

• If you have borrowed an Unsubsidized Loan in your current program of study before July 1, 2026, you will continue to qualify for the existing Unsubsidized Loan limits provided you remain enrolled in the same program of study.
• You will maintain Grad PLUS Loan eligibility for up to an additional three years, or the end of your program, whichever comes first, provided you remain enrolled in the same program of study. Eligibility to borrow funds in the Grad PLUS Loan is still contingent upon an approved loan application credit check or utilizing an approved Endorser.

Students enrolling after July 1, 2026:

• For students beginning enrollment in a graduate program after July 1, 2026, the above Unsubsidized Loan limits apply. The Grad PLUS Loan will not be available.

Effective July 1, 2026, all students enrolled less than full time will have a prorated annual loan limit in direct proportion to their enrollment status.