Navigating the
OBBBA

Yes. Students currently enrolled at SGU and already receiving federal student loans are generally able to continue borrowing under their existing eligibility. In most cases, your loan access and annual borrowing amounts will remain consistent through completion of your MD or DVM program, provided you maintain eligibility*.

*Eligibility can be confirmed by the Office of Financial Aid 

In most cases, yes. While Grad PLUS loans are being phased out under OBBBA, students who meet the June 30, 2026 grandfathering criteria are generally expected to retain access to Grad PLUS loans during their expected time to credential period, subject to federal eligibility requirements. Continued eligibility will depend on maintaining satisfactory academic progress and credit requirements. 

If Grad PLUS is unavailable, students may need to rely on a combination of: 

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (subject to new caps), and 

• Private education loans or institutional financing options 

SGU continues to expand partnerships with private lenders and will provide guidance to help students evaluate alternative funding options. 

For new federal loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, repayment options are expected to include: 

• A standard fixed repayment plan, and 

• A Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) 

RAP is designed to offer payment flexibility based on income, but final program details—including eligibility, forgiveness timelines, and payment calculations—continue to be clarified through federal rulemaking. 

If you only have loans borrowed prior to July 1, 2026: 

• You may continue using existing repayment plans (such as IDR options currently available). 

• You may also have the option to transition into RAP once implementation details are finalized, if it is beneficial for your situation. 

Yes. As of now, PSLF remains available under current federal law. Some PSLF related rules, including employer eligibility criteria, continue to evolve. Students who pursue qualifying employment with eligible employers may still apply for loan forgiveness after meeting program requirements. 

You’ll fall under the new federal borrowing limits: $50,000 per year and $200,000 total for medical or veterinary medical school. Undergraduate loans count toward your overall federal total, but the medical or veterinary school cap remains unchanged.

No. Federal loan limits are statutory caps and are not replenished by repayment. Paying down existing balances does not increase your eligibility to borrow additional federal loan funds in the future. 

Yes. Students who receive at least one federal student loan disbursement on or before June 30, 2026 are typically considered legacy borrowers . This means you may continue accessing current federal loan programs for the duration of your program, as long as you remain continuously enrolled and  within your expected time to credential, which is generally the lesser of three academic years or the remaining time in your program based on SGU’s published program length. You can confirm your eligibility by contacting your Financial Aid Counselor at faid@sgu.edu.  

Students beginning on or after July 1, 2026 will be subject to new federal borrowing limits, currently expected to include: 

• $50,000 per year, and 

• $200,000 total professional program aggregate limit for medical or veterinary education 

• $257,500 lifetime federal borrowing limit 

These limits apply regardless of program cost, and students may need to supplement federal loans with other funding sources. 

Yes. There is now a lifetime student loan borrowing limit of $257,500. Your total federal borrowing history is considered when applying aggregate caps. However, the professional school (MD/DVM) borrowing limit is separate and fixed under current law. Borrowers approaching or exceeding federal limits should plan for alternative financing. 

Yes, it can. 

Changes to your enrollment status such as taking a leave of absence (LOA), withdrawing, or switching programs may affect your federal loan eligibility under OBBBA, particularly if those changes impact your enrollment timeline or borrowing status. 

For example: 

• Breaks in enrollment may affect whether you qualify for legacy loan provisions tied to the June 30, 2026 disbursement deadline 

• Extending your program beyond the standard timeframe could impact continued access to certain loan programs, including Grad PLUS (if applicable) 

• Program changes may require reevaluation of your eligibility, borrowing limits, or loan types 

• Withdrawal may trigger loan repayment requirements based on federal regulations 

• Because these situations are highly individualized, students should consult directly with SGU Financial Aid before making any enrollment changes. Planning ahead can help you understand potential impacts and avoid unexpected funding gaps.