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Office of Financial Aid

One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)


Upcoming Changes to Federal Financial Aid

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, and includes significant changes to federal student aid programs that will take effect beginning July 1, 2026.

These changes may affect students and families who utilize federal financial aid, including grants, student loans, and parent borrowing options. The Office of Financial Aid wants to ensure that students and families are aware of these upcoming changes and have access to the information needed to plan for future educational expenses.

Information regarding the implementation of OBBBA is still evolving. The Office of Financial Aid will continue to monitor guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and Federal Student Aid and will update this page as additional information becomes available.

We encourage all students and families to visit the Federal Student Aid website for the most current information on implementation and changes to student aid programs.

  • Starting in 2026-2027, if scholarships, grants, and other aid you do not have to repay fully cover your college costs, you may not be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant, even if you would otherwise qualify for one.
  • Starting July 1, 2026, federal student loan eligibility will be based on your enrollment level. Students enrolled less than full-time (12 hours) will receive a reduced loan amount based on the number of eligible credit hours they are enrolled in. For more information and examples, visit the Department of Education's website.
  • Starting July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS Loans will be capped at $20,000 per year, per student. A lifetime aggregate limit of $65,000 will also apply to each dependent student. This limit is calculated per student, not per family.
    • Legacy Provision:
      • Parents who borrowed a Parent PLUS Loan for a CU student before July 1, 2026, may continue to borrow under the previous loan limits for up to three academic years (or the student's remaining program length, if shorter).
      • To qualify for this exception, the student must remain enrolled in the same degree program and maintain continuous enrollment in required terms. Students who change majors within the same degree program will still be considered enrolled in the same program. To ensure your new major is within the same degree program, please contact our office before making any changes.

  • Starting July 1, 2026, federal student loan eligibility will be based on your enrollment level. Students enrolled less than full-time (9 hours) will receive a reduced loan amount based on the number of eligible

    credit hours they are enrolled in. For more information and examples, visit the Department of Education's website.
  • Starting July 1, 2026, students may borrow no more than $257,500 in federal student loans over their lifetime. This limit includes Subsidized Loans, Unsubsidized Loans, and Graduate PLUS Loans borrowed for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. Parent PLUS Loans do not count toward this limit.
  • Starting July 1, 2026, the aggregate limit of graduate unsubsidized loans will be $100,000 for new borrowers. This amount does not include undergraduate or PLUS loan debt.
    • Legacy Provision:
      • Graduate students who borrowed an Unsubsidized or Graduate PLUS Loan for a CU student before July 1, 2026, may continue to borrow under the previous loan limits for up to three academic years (or the student's remaining program length, if shorter).
      • To qualify for this exception, the student must remain enrolled in the same degree program and maintain continuous enrollment in required terms. Students who change majors within the same degree program will still be considered enrolled in the same program. To ensure your new major is within the same degree program, please contact our office before making any changes. 
  • Starting July 1, 2026, the Graduate PLUS loan program has been eliminated for new borrowers.
  • Starting July 1, 2026, students may borrow no more than $257,500 in federal student loans over their lifetime. This limit includes Subsidized Loans, Unsubsidized Loans, and Graduate PLUS Loans borrowed for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. Parent PLUS Loans do not count toward this limit.
  • Starting July 1, 2026, federal student loan eligibility will be based on your enrollment level. Students enrolled less than full-time (9 hours) will receive a reduced loan amount based on the number of eligible credit hours they are enrolled in. For more information and examples, visit the Department of Education's website.
    • Legacy Provision:
      • Graduate students who borrowed an Unsubsidized or Graduate PLUS Loan for a CU student before July 1, 2026, may continue to borrow under the previous loan limits for up to three academic years (or the student's remaining program length, if shorter).
      • To qualify for this exception, the student must remain enrolled in the same degree program and maintain continuous enrollment in required terms. Students who change majors within the same degree program will still be considered enrolled in the same program. To ensure your new major is within the same degree program, please contact our office before making any changes.