The federal Grad PLUS loan program was recently eliminated via the “One Big Beautiful Act” . This program allowed graduate students to borrow up to their full cost of attendance. The end of the Grad PLUS program will impost strict lifetime borrowing limitations, which may drive students toward the use of private loans with higher interest rates. While only 16% of graduate students used Grad PLUS, it accounted for 32% of federal loan disbursements and helped finance the most expensive programs. Critics argue the program fueled rising tuition and excessive debt, while supporters warn its end could reduce graduate enrollment and force colleges to cut programs. Experts remain uncertain how the loss of Grad PLUS will reshape access to graduate education and the financial stability of higher education institutions.
