Contact Us
Office of Financial Aid
Georgia Southern University Post Office Box 8065 Statesboro, Georgia 30460-8065
- finaid@georgiasouthern.edu
- 912-478-5413
-
Statesboro Campus
Rosenwald Building – First Floor
Armstrong Campus in Savannah
Victor Hall – First Floor
Updates
Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in July 2025, which introduced several changes to federal student loans beginning July 1, 2026. These changes do not affect student borrowing for the current academic year (2025–2026). Students who have already borrowed federal loans for their current academic program may be considered a “continuing borrower” and therefore legacy in if enrolled in the same academic program through June 30, 2026. The information below is intended to help you understand how these changes may apply to you.
A Note to You
At Georgia Southern, we remain committed to offering affordable undergraduate and graduate programs and supporting you throughout your academic journey. We understand that this change may impact your financial planning, and our goal is to help you explore all available options.
Undergraduate Students
| Policy Area | Final Measure |
| Max Pell Grant | • Amount remains unchanged |
| Parent PLUS Loan Limits* | • $20,000 academic year/$65K lifetime per dependent student |
| Student Loan Proration | • Borrowers enrolled less than full-time (12 hours) will only be able to borrow a prorated maximum loan offer based on enrolled hours. |
| Student Repayment Plans | • Implemented new and simplified Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) with rates 1% to 10% of discretionary income • Eliminated SAVE plan • Extended forgiveness periods to 30 years • Introduced minimum monthly payments • All loans must be repaid on the same plan, so if you borrow before and after July 1, 2026 you will be limited to the standard or RAP plans • If you do not borrow new loans after July 1, 2026 you will be eligible to enroll in the current Standard, Graduated, Extended, or current Income Based (IBR) repayment plans, and may also opt in to the new RAP |
| Parent PLUS Repayment Plans | • Applies to ALL continuing/legacy and new borrowers • Only repayment option will be the tiered standard repayment plan • No forgiveness/ cancellation options |
*If the student or parent borrower has a Federal Direct Loan made before July 1, 2026, while the dependent student is enrolled in a program of study, the parent can continue to borrow under the old loan limits for 3 academic years or the remainder of their dependent student’s expected time to credential, whichever is less
Graduate/ Professional Students
| Policy Area | Final Measure |
| Student Loan Limits | • $20,500 academic year/$100K lifetime for graduates • $50,000 academic year/$200K lifetime for professional students* |
| Student Loan Proration | • Borrowers enrolled less than full-time (9.0 hours, regardless of dissertation/thesis hours) will be offered a prorated maximum unsubsidized loan based on enrollment. |
| Graduate PLUS Loans | • Maintained provision that medical/dental internships/residencies count towards PSLF |
| Repayment Plans | • Implemented new and simplified Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) with rates 1% to 10% of discretionary income • Eliminated SAVE plan • Extended forgiveness periods to 30 years • Introduced minimum monthly payments • All loans must be repaid on the same plan, so if you borrow before and after July 1, 2026 you will be limited to the standard or RAP plans • If you do not borrow new loans after July 1, 2026 you will be eligible to enroll in the current Standard, Graduated, Extended, or current Income Based (IBR) repayment plans, and may also opt in to the new RAP |
| Borrowing Cap | • $257,000 borrowing cap on all federal loans (Excludes Parent Plus loans, includes undergraduate federal loans) |
*The bill currently defines professional students as those pursuing a degree in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.), Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.), Law (L.L.B. or J.D.), Medicine (M.D.), Optometry (O.D.), Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., or Pod.D.), Theology (M.Div., or M.H.L.), and Clinical Psychology (Psy.D. or Ph.D.).
**Current Graduate/Professional students can finish out their current program under the old loan limits, as well as have access to Graduate PLUS loans until the end of their academic program, or three academic years, whichever is first. Current borrowers are defined as those who have borrowed at least one Graduate PLUS or Direct Unsubsidized loan prior to July 1, 2026 and who will remain in the same academic program after July 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and Private Loans
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), passed by Congress in July 2025, introduces changes effective July 1, 2026, without affecting borrowing for the 2025–26 academic year. Highlights include:
Federal Loan Borrowing Caps:
- Graduate Borrowers: Direct Unsubsidized Loans are limited to $20,500 per year and a $100,000 total cap for the degree.
- Professional Programs: Direct Unsubsidized Loans can be up to $50,000 per year with a $200,000 lifetime borrowing limit.
- Undergraduate and Parent PLUS Loans: As of July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS Loans are capped at $20,000 per student per year, with a $65,000 lifetime limit. Undergraduate annual loan limits will not change, but count toward a new lifetime limit.
- Graduate, Professional, and Undergraduate Programs will all be subject to a prorated loan model for awards. Previously, if you were enrolled at least half-time, you could often access your full annual loan limit. Starting July 1, 2026, annual federal loan eligibility will scale directly with credit load.
Graduate PLUS Loans will be phased out starting July 1, 2026, for new borrowers. Existing borrowers may continue to borrow under the generally higher limits for the duration of their degree, subject to some limitations.
- Students must have borrowed a federal Direct Loan (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, or PLUS) in their current program before July 1, 2026.
- The eligibility period, while up to three years or the completion of your degree (whichever is sooner), is also limited by the minimum length of your program minus the time you have been enrolled.
- We do not yet have explicit direction from the Department of Education on how legacy applies to dual-degree programs. Updates will be posted as information becomes available
The legacy rule may allow students who have borrowed any federal student loan before July 1, 2026, and stay enrolled in the same academic program through June 30, 2026, to continue to borrow under the generally higher limits for the duration of their degree, subject to some limitations.
- Students must have borrowed a federal Direct Loan (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, or PLUS) in their current program before July 1, 2026.
- The eligibility period, while up to three years or the completion of your degree (whichever is sooner), is also limited by the minimum length of your program minus the time you have already completed.
We also do not yet have clear federal guidance on dual-degree programs. Please speak to your financial aid office with any questions.
OBBBA uses a “fractional” math formula. Your annual loan limit is multiplied by the percentage of a full-time load you are taking.
New Professional Example: If your program considers 18 credits a full year and you take 9, you are eligible for 50% of the $50,000 limit ($25,000)
Undergraduate Example: If you are a freshman dependent student. Full-time is 24 credits per year and if you take 12 credits in a term, you are eligible for 50% of your annual limit($2,750) for that term. If you take 6 credits in a term, you are eligible for 25% of your annual limit($1,375) for that term.
Graduate/Legacy Professional Example: If your program considers 18 credits a full year and you take 9, you are eligible for 50% of the $20,500 limit ($10,250) in a term. If your program considers 18 credits a full year and you take 6, you are eligible for 33% of the $20,500 limit ($6,765) in a term.
YES, even though you received a disbursement before July 1, 2026 for your current program, and you fall under the Legacy Provision, you are subject to this rule.
Private student loans, or alternative education loans, help bridge funding gaps beyond federal loan limits.Federal eligibility should generally be exhausted before turning to private loans
There are many private lenders, and each may offer different options. Consider:
- Confirming eligibility with lenders
- Borrowing limits (your COA minus aid)
- Cosigner requirements and release options
- Interest rates: fixed vs. variable
- Borrower benefits, such as autopay reductions
- Fees (origination, late payment, returned check)
- Repayment terms, including grace, deferment, and forbearance
We provide a list of preferred private loan list through FastChoice. You will have the option to learn more private loans, compare lenders, and apply for a loan.