Recent Updates:
The OBBA [PDF] was signed into law on July 4, 2025.
This legislation will impact Federal Student Aid programs, including Federal Student Loan repayment plans, Federal Student Loan limits, Federal Parent PLUS Loans, and Federal Graduate PLUS Loans. These changes will begin on or after July 1, 2026.
In the coming weeks, we will post more information about the changes, when they will be implemented, and actions students, parents, and borrowers need to take.
Information as of July 15, 2025: The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has not yet finalized or released critical details regarding OBBA to universities or financial aid offices. We are actively monitoring these developments and will update this webpage as soon as information becomes available to us.
Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 Academic Year:
- No change to the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 academic year.
- No change to the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 academic year.
- No change to the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan and Unsubsidized Loan aggregate limits for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 academic year.
- If you have borrowed a Parent PLUS Loan or Graduate PLUS Loan at Syracuse University before July 1, 2026, for a current program of study, we will be contacting you via email with important updates on Direct PLUS Loans as the information becomes available.
Students entering college or changing programs after July 1, 2026:
- The bill has removed the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan for students beginning a new graduate/professional program on or after July 1, 2026.
- The bill has set the maximum Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan at $20,000 per dependent student, per year, and set the aggregate limit per dependent student at $65,000 for students entering or changing programs in fall 2026 and beyond.
Legacy Provisions:
Legacy provisions (“grandfather provisions” or “grandfathering”) are in place for some existing student and parent borrowers. We will post important updates and clarifications to these legacy provisions as detailed information becomes available.
Glossary
Aggregate = The maximum amount of loan that can be borrowed during a specific academic career or period of time.
Legacy = A legacy provision in federal student aid refers to rules that allow students or parents with specific eligibility to continue receiving aid or borrowing federal loans under older criteria, even if the criteria have since changed.
Subsidized Loan = is a type of loan where the government pays the interest on the loan while the borrower is in school at least half-time, during a grace period, and during periods of deferment.
Unsubsidized Loan = is a type of loan where the interest is accruing during the period of enrollment, during the grace period, and during deferment.
Parent PLUS Loan = is a federal loan that the parent(s) of a dependent undergraduate student can borrow to help pay for their child’s education. It is a credit-based loan, not based on the student’s or family’s financial need. Parents can borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus any other aid the student is receiving.
Graduate PLUS Loan = is a type of federal student loan for eligible graduate and professional students. It is a credit-based loan, and it is not based on the student’s financial need. Students can borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus any other aid the student is receiving.
Dependent Student = A dependent student is someone whose parent(s) information is required on the FAFSA based on the dependency status questions asked on the FAFSA.