One Big Beautiful Bill
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” was signed into law as part of comprehensive education reform legislation. This landmark bill introduces sweeping changes to federal student aid programs, effective July 1, 2026.
Please note that additional guidance and clarification will be forthcoming from the U.S. Department of Education. We encourage you to continue checking this site for updated information.
What Does It Mean for You?
The One Big Beautiful Bill fundamentally reshapes how students finance their education. While this is not an exhaustive overview, the information provided is of greatest significance to the La Roche University community. Please choose from the dropdown menu below to determine how the changes may impact you.
Despite these changes, you still have multiple pathways to finance your La Roche education. Please visit Types of Aid.
New Students
Federal Pell Grant
Students whose Scholarship and/or Grants cover their full Cost of Attendance
Students who receive grants or scholarships from non-federal sources covering their entire cost of attendance (COA) are ineligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant, even if otherwise eligible for the program. (Effective July 1, 2026).
Federal Direct Student Loans
Loan Proration for Part-Time Students
Reduces the amount of a loan that a student may borrow for an academic year if the student is enrolled in a program of study on less than a full-time basis during that academic year. (The guidance that analysts have provided indicates the effective date of this change will be for the 2026-2027 award year.)
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loans
The law includes new Parent PLUS loan limits (effective July 1, 2026):
- $20,000 per year cap per dependent student
- $65,000 aggregate limit per dependent student (without regard to amounts forgiven, repaid, canceled, or discharged)
Graduate Student Loans
Graduate students will be limited to an annual loan limit of $20,500 and a lifetime borrowing maximum of $100,000. This limit does not include amounts borrowed as an undergraduate student.
The Graduate PLUS Loan program will be discontinued.
Current/Returning Students
Federal Pell Grant
Students whose Scholarship and/or Grants cover their full Cost of Attendance
Students who receive grants or scholarships from non-federal sources covering their entire cost of attendance (COA) are ineligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant, even if otherwise eligible for the program. (Effective July 1, 2026).
Federal Direct Student Loans
Loan Proration for Part-Time Students
Reduces the amount of a loan that a student may borrow for an academic year if the student is enrolled in a program of study on less than a full-time basis during that academic year. (The guidance that analysts have provided indicates the effective date of this change will be for the 2026-2027 award year.)
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loans
If a parent borrower has a Federal Direct PLUS Loan made before July 1, 2026, while the dependent student is enrolled in a credentialed program, the parent can continue to borrow under current loan limits for 3 academic years or the remainder of their dependent student’s expected time to credential, whichever is less.
Graduate Student Loans
Grad PLUS Loans
The Graduate PLUS program is eliminated effective July 1, 2026, with legacy provisions for current borrowers to complete their program of study. A legacy borrower is defined as a borrower who has a Grad PLUS loan made before July 1, 2026, and who is enrolled in a credentialed program. The borrower can continue to borrow from the program for three academic years or the remainder of their expected time to credential, whichever is less.
Repayment Plan for Current Borrowers
Current borrowers with no new loans made on or after July 1, 2026, are eligible to enroll in the current Standard, Graduated, Extended, or current Income Based (IBR) repayment plans, and may also opt in to the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Current borrowers may also switch between, enter or remain on existing Income Driven Repayment (IDR) plans until July 1, 2028.
Borrowers with loans made before July 1, 2026, who take out additional loans on or after July 1, 2026, will only have Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) and the new standard repayment plan as options.
Graduate Professional Programs - Update on Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Eligibility
Update On Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Eligibility
Effective July 1, 2026, federal law established new annual and aggregate Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits for graduate and professional students.
La Roche University is closely monitoring recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education regarding federal student loan eligibility for certain graduate professional programs.
Because this guidance was issued pursuant to a court order and remains subject to ongoing legal review, the University has temporarily deferred implementation of the increased Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits while we continue to evaluate future federal guidance.
At this time, students in affected programs will continue to receive Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans under the University’s current awarding practices.
What this means for you:
- Your admission, enrollment, and academic program are not affected.
- Your eligibility for other financial aid programs remains unchanged.
- The University is monitoring federal developments and will reconsider its approach if additional guidance or a final legal resolution is issued.
- If any future changes affect your federal loan eligibility, we will notify impacted students promptly.
If you have questions about your individual financial aid eligibility or financing options, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure that all federal financial aid is administered accurately and in accordance with federal requirements.
Sincerely,
La Roche University
Schedule of Reductions (SOR) Chart for Federal Direct Loans
If you have questions that are not answered at this site, please email the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@laroche.edu