2026–27 Financial Aid Changes
Important note
Information on this page is based on current guidance and may change as additional federal updates are released.
Federal updates affecting students
Recent federal legislation, namely the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” includes significant changes to financial aid effective the 2026–27 academic year. Federal guidance is still being released, and schools are actively working to interpret how these updates will affect student eligibility and aid packages. We will update this page as new information becomes available.
What we know so far
- Federal loan eligibility may change.
- Prior borrowing (including Graduate PLUS Loans) may now count toward lifetime (aggregate) loan limits.
- Some students may have reduced or no remaining eligibility for Stafford Loans and will need to explore private loans for additional funding.
- Loan limits and borrowing
- Updates to annual and lifetime borrowing limits are being implemented.
- Some students may reach limits sooner than expected.
- PLUS Loans (parent and graduate)
- Changes to eligibility and borrowing rules are expected.
- Additional restrictions may apply.
What is still pending?
We are still waiting on federal guidance regarding:
- Final rules for aggregate loan limits at the graduate student level
- Stafford Loan eligibility for students with prior Grad PLUS Loans
- Updated repayment terms and loan structures
- Full implementation timelines for schools
How this may affect you
Depending on your situation, you may experience:
- Changes to your loan eligibility—financial aid is based on full-time enrollment; if you take fewer classes, some of your aid (including Stafford loans) may be reduced.
- Adjustments to your financial aid package
What you should do now
- No immediate action is required.
- Submit your FAFSA (if you haven’t already).
- Monitor your student email and portal.
- Check this page regularly for updates.
FAQ
Not necessarily. These changes mainly affect graduate student loan eligibility, not grants or scholarships. However, some students may qualify for less in federal loans than in prior years.
Most students will still be eligible, but borrowing limits may change, especially if you have borrowed Grad PLUS Loans in prior years.
No. At this time, you should wait for updates and make sure your 2026–27 FAFSA is submitted.
Possibly. Changes to Parent PLUS Loan eligibility and limits are expected, but final details are still pending.
Yes. Filing your FAFSA ensures your file will be reviewed for all federal student loan eligibility. We will notify you if anything additional is needed.
The National Association for Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) has put together documents with more information. You can also visit their website at NASFAA.org.