Federal PLUS Loans
New for 2026-27
The Graduate PLUS Loan program will be eliminated for new borrowers starting July 1, 2026.
Legacy Provision
Students who received Direct Unsubsidized Loans or Grad PLUS Loans disbursed before July 1, 2026, and remain continuously enrolled in the same academic program, may continue to borrow Graduate PLUS Loans for up to 3 years or the expected time remaining to complete their program, whichever is less.
Enrollment Breaks
A break in enrollment (such as not attending or dropping/withdrawing during fall or winter semester) will make you subject to the new rules.
NOTE: Not attending spring and summer is only considered a break in enrollment for 2nd year EMBA students.
Example
A law student who borrowed Direct Unsubsidized Loans before July 1, 2026, and is expected to graduate in 2026-27 may continue borrowing Graduate PLUS Loans through that academic year. If the student extends their program beyond the expected graduation date, they'll no longer be eligible for Graduate PLUS Loans.
Legacy Borrowers
- Annual Loan Limit: Up to the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other financial aid.
- Aggregate Loan Limit: No limit
- Eligibility: Half-time enrollment, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and a credit check completed at studentaid.gov
Before July 1, 2026 | Beginning July 1, 2026 |
| Grad PLUS Loans available up to the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other aid | Program eliminated for new graduate student borrowers |
| No Aggregate Limit | Legacy borrowers may continue borrowing for up to 3 years or the expected time remaining to complete their program, whichever is less |
| Eligibility is based on half-time enrollment and an approved credit check | Eligibility requirements remain the same for legacy borrowers |
New Parent PLUS Loan limits apply to:
- New dependent undergraduate students
- Current students didn't receive a Federal Direct Loan or whose parents didn't borrow a Parent PLUS Loan before July 1, 2026
Legacy Provision
If a student received a Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loan, or a parent borrowed a Parent PLUS Loan before July 1, 2026, and the student remains continuously enrolled in the same academic program, the parent may continue borrowing under the previous rules for up to 3 years or the expected time remaining to complete the program, whichever comes first.
Enrollment Breaks
Breaks in enrollment (such as not attending for a semester or dropping/withdrawing from a semester) during fall or winter semester will cause you to be subject to the new limits.
Example
A parent borrowed a Parent PLUS Loan in 2025-26 for a student expected to graduate in winter 2027. Because the student remained continuously enrolled, the parent may continue borrowing under the previous rules through 2026-27. If the student extends their program, the new Parent PLUS Loan limits will apply.
Legacy Borrowers
- Annual Loan Limit: Parents of students eligible for the legacy provision can continue to borrow Parent PLUS Loans up to the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other aid (i.e. grants, scholarships, other loans).
- Aggregate Loan Limit: No limit
- Eligibility: Continues to be based on half-time student enrollment, maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and a credit check on the application at studentaid.gov
Before July 1, 2026 | Beginning July 1, 2026 |
| Parent PLUS Loans based on the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other aid | Annual Limit: $20,000 per student (combined with all parent borrowers) |
| No Aggregate Limit | $65,000 per student Aggregate Limit |
| Eligibility is based on student's half-time enrollment and parent's approved credit check | Eligibility requirements stay the same |