On April 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education released a final rule which updates federal student loan regulations. The changes implement legislative language enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025.

The changes to Title IV of the Higher Education Act set new annual and lifetime borrowing limits for graduate and professional students and parents. The changes also phase out the Grad PLUS loan program, which previously allowed students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance. Additionally, the rule overhauls repayment options, replacing existing income-contingent repayment plans with a new system that includes a tiered standard plan and a repayment assistance plan.

Impact on General Dentistry: Many dental students rely heavily on federal loans and often graduate with significant debt, raising concerns that tighter federal borrowing limits could affect access to dental education and influence career decisions. Most provisions are scheduled to take effect July 1, with certain repayment-related changes phased in through 2028.