One Big Beautiful Bill Act Information
This information and policies are subject to change pending further clarification and guidance from the U.S. Department of Education.
- Foreign Income Reporting: Foreign income must be included in adjusted gross income (AGI) when calculating Pell Grant eligibility.
- Family Farms and Family-Owned Small Businesses Exclusions: If the business or farm is family-owned and controlled (51% or more equity or control) and has 100 or fewer full-time or full-time equivalent employees, its net worth does not count toward assets. This exclusion includes:
- Small businesses
- Family farms on which the family resides
- Family-owned commercial fisheries
- Students with nonfederal scholarships that cover the full cost of attendance may not receive Pell Grant funding.
- Students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) equal to or greater than twice the maximum Pell Grant amount will be ineligible for Pell Grant funding.
Example: If the maximum Pell Grant is $7,395, students with an SAI of $14,790 or more will not qualify for the Pell Grant.
- Annual (academic year) limits will be prorated based on the student’s enrollment status.
Example1: Annual Limit proration for undergraduate student borrowers, based on enrollment
| Credit Hours in Academic Year | Proration Percentage | Annual Limit for Dependent 1st year (Freshman) | Annual Limit for Independent 1st year (Freshman) |
| 24+ | 100% | $5,500 total unsubsidized or combined loans with no more than $3,500 in subsidized | $9,500 total unsubsidized or combined loans with no more than $3,500 in subsidized |
| 12 | 50% | $2,750 total unsubsidized or combined loans with no more than $1,750 in subsidized | $4,750 total unsubsidized or combined loans with no more than $1,750 in subsidized |
Example: Annual Limit proration for graduate Unsubsidized Loan Borrowers:
| Credit Hours in Academic Year | Proration Percentage | Annual Limit |
| 12+ | 100% | $20,500 Maximum |
| 9 | 75% | $15,375 Maximum |
PLEASE NOTE: Actual student eligibility is determined by several factors including (but not limited to) loan history, the calculated SAI from the FAFSA, cost of attendance and enrollment.
- The loan borrowing cap is the combined undergraduate + graduate + professional loans borrowed.
PLEASE NOTE: Depending on each student’s individual borrowing history, their ability to borrow loans in the future may be impacted. Students should review their FSA borrowing history at Student.Aid.Gov website.
| Borrower | Annual Limit (per academic year) | Aggregate Limit | Limit Borrowing Cap |
| New Graduate Student Borrower as of July 1, 2026 | $20,500 | $100,000 | $257,500 |
| Legacy Graduate Student Borrower* | $20,500 | $138,500 | $257,500 |
*Legacy Provisions: Graduate students who borrowed a Federal Direct Loan prior to July 1, 2026, while enrolled in a credentialed program, may be able to continue to borrow under current loan limits for up to three additional years in the same program or until program is completed, whichever is shorter. The student must remain continuously enrolled in the same degree program at the institution.
PLEASE NOTE: Depending on each student’s individual borrowing history, their ability to borrow loans in the future may be impacted. Students should review their FSA borrowing history at studentaid.gov.
- For students in graduate programs, the Federal Grad PLUS program may no longer be an option to help pay for educational costs.
- Legacy provisions for existing borrowers: Graduate students who borrowed a Federal Direct Loan prior to July 1, 2026, while enrolled in a program, may be able to continue to borrow under current loan limits for up to three additional years in the same program or until program is completed, whichever is shorter. The student must remain continuously enrolled in the same degree program at the institution.
| Borrower Category | Annual Limit | Aggregate Limit |
| New Parent PLUS Borrower as of July 1, 2026 | $20,500 | $65,000 |
| Legacy Parent PLUS Borrower* | COA minus any other financial aid | N/A |
*Legacy Provisions: Parents who have borrowed a Federal Parent PLUS Loan for a dependent student prior to 7/1/2026, while the student was enrolled in a credentialed program, may be able to continue to borrow under current loan limits for up to three additional years or until program is completed, whichever is shorter. The student must remain continuously enrolled in the same degree program at the institution.
PLEASE NOTE: Depending on each student’s individual borrowing history, their ability to borrow loans in the future may be impacted. Students should review their FSA borrowing history at Student.Aid.Gov website.
- New borrowers will be required to select from one of the following repayment plans
- Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP): Monthly payments will be based on your income.
- Standard Repayment Plan: Monthly payments are fixed for a term of 10, 15, 20 or 25 years.
- All other repayment plans are ending on July 1, 2028. Students who are in a different plan will need to switch to one of the new plans by July 1, 2028.
We understand that these changes may raise questions and could impact your financial planning and remain committed to providing you with key resources. Below are some links you may find helpful.
- StudentAid.Gov Announcements & Events: https://studentaid.gov/h/announcements-events
- U.S. Department of Education Updates: https://www.ed.gov/about/news
For information about student loan repayment contact your loan servicer.
If you still have questions, contact Financial Aid Advising by emailing [email protected] or calling 855-731-9218.