Significant changes to federal student aid were recently enacted through the Budget Reconciliation Bill. These changes will go into effect starting July 1, 2026. Current and prospective students are encouraged to review this information carefully to help with financial planning to attend Rush University.
Key changes
Below is a listing of items and additional information about what we know is changing. This information is based on our good faith understanding of the evolving federal changes, it is not official guidance and should not be regarded as definitive. Additional information is still expected from the U.S. Department of Education. Students should refer to federal governmental sources for official guidance.
Students are historically eligible for two types of federal student loans at the graduate level including the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. The changes outlined below eliminate the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan and make changes to the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan.
- Elimination of the Federal Graduate PLUS loan effective July 1, 2026 for all new borrowers
- Changes to the annual and aggregate federal borrowing limits available to students
- Changes to federal loan eligibility for full-time versus part-time enrollment
- Changes to Undergraduate Pell Grants
Check out some of the frequently used definitions and terms here
Some students may not be impacted by these changes. New and current students who are not eligible for federal student aid and others who are not intending to borrow federal loans will generally not see any impact on their financial aid.
Because of these federal student loan changes, new students will need to rely more heavily on alternative loans through private lenders. Having good credit – and actively monitoring your credit score – is critical when it comes to private education loans.
Please select your current or proposed program to find information specific to your continued eligibility for federal student aid.
Rush University does not encourage or discourage borrowing. We are making this information available to help guide your financial decisions. Current and prospective students are encouraged to ask questions of the financial aid office to help guide their financial planning.
Still have questions about these changes and what they mean for you? Find definitions for terms used in these policies, and get answers to help guide you through the process.
We know that changes to financial aid funding can feel overwhelming, and you don’t have to navigate them alone. Our team is here to listen, to answer your questions clearly and honestly, and to help you understand the options available to you. Please reach out – your questions are welcome, and we are always happy to help.