On May 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (ED)
published its Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations. These regulations implement changes to Title IV student aid programs created by the
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which was signed into law on July 4, 2025. The RISE final rule covers a number of topics including the restructuring of student loans, student loan repayment plans, and institutionally determined loan limits, among other changes. Of notable importance, the regulations create a graduate student loan limit and a professional student loan limit that go into effect July 1, 2026.
The final rule did not significantly change from the proposed rule across all major provisions. A fact sheet published by ED that includes a summary of the provisions related to the new student loan policies and repayment plans can be found
here.
Under the final rule, the definition of a professional degree program creates a new loan limit of $50,000/year with a $200,000 aggregate cap on federal loans. The definition of a graduate degree program maintains loan limits for graduate students at $20,500/year but now with a $100,000 aggregate cap. ED did not change the 11 program fields that qualify as professional in the final rule.
It is anticipated that there will be legal action challenging many aspects of this final rule.
AHCA/NCAL is part of a
coalition that includes many other sectors impacted by this policy. AHCA/NCAL did submit
comments on the proposed rule. We hope to work with the Administration and stakeholders to help our caregivers of tomorrow pursue their passion and ensure our nation’s seniors and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the trained professionals they need.