The One Big Beautiful Bill (HR1), signed on July 4, 2025. For students, families and institutions like Beacon College, this bill is significant because it changes some rules related to the federal aid (Title IV) programs.
As of the development of this webpage, these changes are scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2026 and/or with the 2026-2027 FAFSA.
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Current Limits
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Changes Effective July 1, 2026
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Part-Time Students can borrow full annual amounts
- Defined as less than 12-credits per term
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Loans must be prorated based on enrollment status
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Annual & Aggregate Limits are based on dependency status
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Unchanged
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Maximum Lifetime Borrowing Amount
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Total Aggregate Limit: $257,000 across all federal loan programs (applies only to Beacon alumni planning graduate students)
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Institutional Discretion:
Colleges may have the ability to set lower annual loan limits by program. Limits must apply uniformly to all students within that program.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces significant changes to federal student aid programs, and while some provisions are clear, many others require further clarification from the U.S. Department of Education. We understand that students, families, and staff have questions – we do too!
As we receive more guidance and official updates, we will continue to revise and expand this webpage to reflect the most accurate and actionable information available.