CINCINNATI, Ohio — Millions of college students could face significant new obstacles paying for graduate school after federal loan limits were signed into law this summer as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Starting July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS loans will be eliminated. Those loans previously allowed graduate students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance. New borrowers will be limited to $200,000 for professional degrees like law and medicine. Students in other graduate programs can borrow up to $100,000. The lifetime limit for all federal student loans is now $257,500 per person.

Experts say the average cost of a bachelor's degree can reach $224,000 at private universities. Adding law and medical school, the total can exceed $390,000.

"Getting Master's and PhDs are going to be

See Full Page