New Federal Financial Aid Rule

As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), new federal financial aid rules were signed into law in July 2025, changing federal loan and Pell Grant eligibility. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026.

This information is intended to inform parents and students about upcoming changes and how to navigate and prepare for the pending changes to some federal aid programs. For more information about the new Federal Financial Aid law, visit the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' site.

Listed below are changes that will affect undergraduate and graduate students. 

• Undergraduate Students
• Graduate Students

Undergraduate Students

• Prevents students from receiving Pell Grants if their SAI exceeds twice the maximum Pell Grant award.
• Students who receive grants or scholarships from non-federal sources covering their entire cost of attendance (COA) are ineligible to receive a Pell Grant, even if otherwise eligible for the program.
• Students enrolled less than full-time will see a reduction of federal loans in direct proportion to the student’s actual enrollment. (Student eligibility is determined at the time of disbursement. If a student is enrolled full-time at the time of disbursement but later drops or withdraws, a loan reduction may occur in the following semester. For new borrowers, Parent Plus loan maximum
• For new borrowers, Parent Plus loan maximum annual amount of $20,000/year and an aggregate maximum of $65,000/dependent student (if the student or parent borrower has a Federal Direct Loan made before July 1. 2026, while the dependent student is enrolled in a program of study, the parent can continue to borrow under current loan limits for 3 academic years or the remainder of their dependent student’s expected time to graduate, whichever is less)

Graduate Students

• Elimination of the Graduate Plus loan for new borrowers (if a borrower has a Federal Direct Loan made before  July 1, 2026, while enrolled in a program of study, the borrower can continue to borrow from the program for the 3 academic years or the remainder of their expected time to degree/certificate, whichever is less)
• Caps the annual limits at $20,500 for graduate students and $50,000 for professional students. The aggregate limit is capped at $100,000 for graduate students and $200,000 for professional students (if a borrower has a Federal Direct Loan made before July 1, 2026, while enrolled in a program of study, the current loan limits continue to apply for 3 academic years or the remainder of their expected time to graduation, whichever is less. 
• $257,500 lifetime borrowing limit on all federal student loans, excluding borrowed Parent PLUS loan amounts (in the case of a dependent student who had Parent PLUS borrowed on their behalf for education expenses).  If a borrower has a Federal Direct Loan made before July 1, 2026, while enrolled in a credentialed program, the borrower can continue to borrow under current loan limits for 3 academic years or the remainder of their expected time to graduation, whichever is less.

Federal Student Aid One Big Beautiful Bill Act Updates