Federal Loan Updates

What Are the New Loan Limits?

Starting July 1, 2026, graduate and professional students borrow under new annual and program limits. The table below shows the new limits for new borrowers.

Limits shown are for new borrowers. Parent PLUS limits are per dependent student.

The lifetime cap includes undergraduate loans and excludes Parent PLUS.

What Is the New Lifetime Federal Student Loan Limit?

The maximum lifetime federal student loan limit is $257,500, which includes all federal loans borrowed across undergraduate, graduate and professional programs.

What Programs Are Considered Professional for Federal Direct Loans?

At CU Anschutz, the following programs are considered professional programs and have higher federal loan limits:

• Medicine (M.D.)
• Dentistry (D.D.S.)
• Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

All other programs are eligible for the graduate loan limits.

Do the New Loan Limits Apply to Me If I Already Borrowed Loans for My Current Program?

Not necessarily. If you started your program before July 1, 2026, and already borrowed federal loans, you may be able to continue under the current loan limits for a limited time as a legacy borrower.

See the Legacy Borrowing Rules section below for details.

What Counts Toward Your Limits

Different federal loans count toward different limits. This chart shows what each type counts toward.

Program limits are the per program totals for graduate and professional study. Repaying or forgiving a loan does not restore borrowing once a limit is reached.

Do Graduate PLUS Loans Count Toward the Lifetime Limit?

Yes. Graduate PLUS Loans are included in your total federal loan debt if you are a new borrower after July 1, 2026, or if you lose legacy status.

Do Parent PLUS Loans Count Toward the Student's Limit?

No. Parent PLUS Loans are borrowed by the parent and do not count toward the student's lifetime loan limit.

Does Undergraduate Borrowing Count Toward Graduate or Professional Limits?

No. Undergraduate loans are not included in the graduate or professional program limits. They do count toward the $257,500 lifetime limit.

Example. If you borrowed $40,000 as an undergraduate, you have $217,500 left before you reach the lifetime limit, but you can still borrow no more than $200,000 for a professional program.

If I Repay Loans, Can I Regain Eligibility?

No. Repayment does not restore eligibility once you reach the aggregate limit.

Will Loan Eligibility Be Reduced If I Enroll Less Than Full Time?

Yes. Starting in the 2026 to 2027 academic year, annual loan eligibility will be prorated for less than full time enrollment.

What Happens If I Change Programs After July 1, 2026?

You will generally be subject to the new federal loan rules for the new program.

What Happens If I Reach the Borrowing Limit?

Once you reach either the program or lifetime limit, you are no longer eligible for additional federal Direct Loans and may need other financing options.

What Qualifies as a Dual-Degree or Joint-Degree Program?

A dual-degree or joint-degree program is officially approved by the university and designed as a single, integrated pathway to earn two degrees.

These programs have:

• A structured curriculum
• Coordinated enrollment in both degrees
• An established plan to complete both programs together

How Is This Different From Earning Two Degrees Separately?

If you pursue two degrees separately, or one after the other, you are considered to be changing or starting a new program for financial aid purposes.

This could affect:

• Your loan eligibility
• Whether new loan rules apply to you
• Whether you qualify for any legacy provisions

How Do I Know If I Am a Legacy Borrower?

You may qualify as a legacy borrower if you:

• Borrowed a federal student loan before July 1, 2026
• For the program you are currently enrolled in

If you qualify, you may be able to:

• Continue borrowing under the prior federal loan rules
• Remain eligible for up to three additional academic years, or until you complete your program, whichever comes first

Does Summer Count Toward the Legacy Period?

Possibly. Summer may count if it is a required part of your program.

Does a Leave of Absence Extend the Legacy Period?

No. A leave of absence does not extend the three-year eligibility period.

Do Legacy Rules Affect Loan Limits for Programs Like Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Public Health?

Yes. If you qualify as a legacy borrower, you may be able to continue borrowing under the higher loan limits that applied when you started your program, for a limited time (up to three academic years or until you complete your program).

How Is My Remaining Time Calculated?

Subtract the time you have already completed from your total program length.

Can Taking a Leave of Absence Affect My Legacy Borrowing Status?

Yes, it can. Taking time away from your program may affect your ability to maintain continuous enrollment, which is required to keep legacy borrowing eligibility.

Important. A Leave of Absence does not extend your legacy timeframe.

What Is a Qualifying Leave of Absence for Federal Financial Aid Purposes?

A qualifying Leave of Absence must:

• Be approved by the school
• Be requested in writing
• Have an intent to return
• Not exceed 180 days in any 12 months
• Allow you to return to the same coursework

What Happens If My Leave of Absence Does Not Qualify?

You may be considered withdrawn, which can affect:

• Loan repayment
• Grace periods
• Financial aid eligibility

What Repayment Plans Are Available for New Loans After July 1, 2026?

If you take out new federal student loans on or after July 1, 2026, you will have only two repayment options:

• Standard Repayment Plan
• Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)

I Borrowed Loans Before July 1, 2026. What Are My Options?

You will still have access to multiple repayment plans, including:

• Standard
• Income-Based Repayment (IBR)
• Graduated
• Extended
• Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)

I Am Already Enrolled in the ICR, PAYE or SAVE Plan. What Does This Mean for Me?

These plans are being phased out. You will need to switch to another plan, such as Income-Based Repayment or the Repayment Assistance Plan, by July 1, 2028.

If you do not choose a new plan, you will be automatically placed into the Repayment Assistance Plan.

What If I Have Loans From Before and After July 1, 2026?

If you have a mix of old and new loans, you will only be able to use:

• Standard Repayment
• Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)

Are There Changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program?

Public Service Loan Forgiveness is not going away, and the core requirements remain the same:

• 120 qualifying payments
• Full time work for a qualifying public service or nonprofit employer

What is changing:

• The new Repayment Assistance Plan will count toward forgiveness and will become the main repayment option for many borrowers
• New rules may limit which employers qualify, and this is still subject to change
• With Graduate PLUS Loans ending, students may have less total loan debt eligible for forgiveness

Are Deferment or Forbearance Options Changing?

Yes. Starting July 1, 2027:

• Economic hardship and unemployment deferments will end
• Forbearance will be limited to nine months within a two-year period

Loan servicers may still offer short term forbearances in certain situations.