One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Federal Financial Aid Updates
We’re here to help you navigate the changing federal aid landscape.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes significant reforms to federal student aid programs beginning July 1, 2026.
The new law changes the eligibility and amounts for Pell Grants, sets new limits for federal student loans (including the phase-out of Grad PLUS), requires loan proration for less than full-time enrollment, and introduces a new income-driven repayment option.
Many changes are based on whether you are a new or legacy borrower:
Legacy Borrowers
You may still be eligible for previous loan limits and Grad PLUS loans if all of the following are true.
- You were enrolled in your current program of study at JHU before July 1, 2026.
- You received a Direct Loan disbursement (unsubsidized or PLUS) for your current program before July 1, 2026.
- You have not taken a break in enrollment nor changed programs.
- You are still within your expected time to graduate.
If eligible, you can continue borrowing under legacy terms for the remainder of your program or up to 3 years, whichever is shorter. Interim eligibility ends for all students after the 2028-29 school year.
New Borrowers
You are subject to the One Big Beautiful Bill loan terms and are not eligible for Grad PLUS loans if any of the following are true:
- You started your current program at JHU on or after July 1, 2026.
- You are a current JHU student but did not receive any Direct Loan funds before July 1, 2026.
- You took a break (leave of absence or academic pause) or changed programs and are re-enrolling.
- You are no longer within your expected time to graduate.
If you are unsure which type of borrower you are, contact us to review your borrowing history and eligibility.
Have questions or want more information?
- Contact the Johns Hopkins financial aid office directly with questions about your specific situation.
- Monitor announcements from the U.S. Department of Education at studentaid.gov.
- Keep an eye on school communications, as some programs may publish program-specific updates.
Important Notice:
The information provided above reflects our current understanding of federal financial aid changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and is not intended to be legal advice.
