Graduate Students Grapple with Reshaped Education Payment Plans Following Federal Loan Caps

Graduate students are expressing uncertainty about their ability to finance their education due to President Donald Trump's federal student aid cuts, which went into effect this academic year. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2024, reduced federal student aid by $307 billion and capped graduate student lending at $20,500 annually, with a $100,000 lifetime limit. This has led students to consider private loans, shorter programs, and re-evaluate their pursuit of further studies.