Prospective Students: Changes as of July 1, 2026

Due to the passage of the federal Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in July 2025, there are some major changes to federal loans for new federal student loan borrowers beginning July 1, 2026:                               

• Federal Graduate PLUS Loan: This program has been eliminated by the Federal Government as of July 1, 2026

Professional Programs (DO, DPT, Dental):

• Federal unsubsidized student loan limit for professional programs: $50,000 per year, total aggregate of $200,000
• Federal Student Loan limit for professional programs (over student’s lifetime): $257,000 (includes ALL federal undergrad and grad loans, i.e. Perkins Loan)

Graduate Programs (MAMS, MSOT):

• $20,500 annual
• $100,000 aggregate

The total loan aggregate limit across all loans, except Grad or Parent PLUS loans, is $257,500.

Private student loans:

• Private student loans are offered by private lenders (banks, credit unions, and other private lenders) to provide funds to pay for educational expenses. They are not part of the federal student loan program.
• Since the federal Graduate PLUS loan will be discontinued as of July 1, 2026, you may need to access private loans to meet your tuition and living expenses.
• Borrowers select their own private lender. PNWU uses ELM Select as a resource for students to choose from a list of private lenders, or borrowers can select their own lender not listed on ELM.
• Be aware that private lenders have much stricter approval guidelines than the federal Graduate PLUS loan did. Be prepared to need a co-signer.