New Student Loan Limits Affect Graduate and Professional Students

The Trump administration has announced new limits on federal student loans for graduate and professional students.

Starting from July 1, 2026, graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 per year and a total of $100,000.

Professional students, such as those in medicine and law, can borrow up to $50,000 per year and a total of $200,000.

The new rules also eliminate graduate PLUS loans, which previously allowed students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance.

The list of eligible professional degree fields includes chiropractic, clinical psychology, dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, podiatry, theology, and veterinary medicine.

Notably, nursing and other professions are excluded from the higher loan limits.

The Department of Education will publish the regulation in the federal register, allowing the public to provide feedback before it becomes final.