Starting July 1, 2026:
One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) sets a lifetime limit of $257,500 on the total amount a student can borrow in federal student loans. This limit applies to all federal student loans combined and does not include Parent PLUS loans (which are taken out by parents).
What This Means for You (Legacy/“Grandfathering” Option)
If you received a federal student loan before July 1, 2026, you may be able to continue borrowing under the current (higher) loan limits.
This “grandfathering” benefit lasts until: Three years after July 1, 2026, or you complete your current program of study.