Federal Student Loan Disbursements Delayed Due to New Regulations from 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act'

Many U.S. students experienced delays in federal student loan disbursements over the summer session, and concerns persist for the fall semester, as colleges grapple with new federal rules that took effect on July 1, 2026. These changes, stemming from the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' include new lifetime borrowing limits, lowered aggregate debt limits for graduate students, and the elimination of the Graduate PLUS loan program for new borrowers. The Department of Education's delayed guidance has left many institutions struggling to adapt.