Last Updated: November 17, 2025
Starting July 1, 2026, federal Grad PLUS loans will be discontinued for new borrowers, and new annual and lifetime borrowing caps will apply to graduate and Parent PLUS loans.
If your program costs more than the new federal limits allow, you may need to use a private student loan to cover the difference. Private loans can help fill funding gaps, but they don’t include the same repayment or forgiveness options as federal loans, so it’s best to compare all options carefully before borrowing.