GRADUATE FAQ

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

These frequently asked questions address common concerns about changes to graduate financial aid. This page will be updated as we hear more questions and concerns and as we gain more federal guidance. For a fuller overview of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, please visit Legislative Updates.

Legacy FAQs

1. How do I qualify for legacy provisions?

You qualify for legacy provisions if you were enrolled in your current program and borrowed a federal student loan before July 1, 2026.
If you qualify, you can continue borrowing Grad PLUS Loans and are not subject to the new loan limits for Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

2. Can I qualify for legacy provisions if I begin my program in summer 2026?

Some summer 2026 classes begin before July 1, 2026, which may allow students to borrow and receive loan funds before that date. However, we are still awaiting federal guidance on whether this would qualify a student for legacy provisions. This page will be updated once more information is available.

3. Can I opt out of my legacy status?

No. If you qualify for legacy provisions, you cannot choose to opt out and borrow under the new rules.
As long as you maintain your legacy status, your financial aid will follow the legacy rules.

4. How do I maintain my legacy status?

If you qualify, you can continue to borrow under those rules for up to three years (through the end of the 2028-29 academic year) or until you are expected to complete your program of study - whichever comes first. 
You will lose your legacy status if you:

• Take a break from enrollment (excluding summer term), or
• Change your degree or certificate program on or after July 1, 2026

Loan FAQs

1. Am I considered a professional student?

The two professional programs at OSU are the Doctor of Pharmacy and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs. If you are enrolled in one of these programs, your loan limits are different. Please see Professional Student Overview for details. 

2. What is my annual loan limit?

Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans per academic year as a full-time student (9 or more credits each term). If you are enrolled less than full-time, your loan amount will be reduced based on your enrollment level. 
If you are enrolled in a professional program, please see Professional Student Overview for details.  

3. What is my lifetime loan limit?

If you qualify for legacy provisions, your aggregate or lifetime limit is $138,500 in all Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans. This limit includes loans borrowed as an undergraduate student. 
If you do not qualify for legacy provisions, your aggregate limit is $100,000 in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. This does not include any loans borrowed as an undergraduate student. There is a separate lifetime limit of $257,500 including any federal student loans you have borrowed at any degree level.  

4. What happens to my loans if I am less than full-time?

Starting in the 2026–27 academic year, federal student loan eligibility for graduate students will be based on full-time enrollment for the academic year. If you enroll in fewer than 9 credits per term, your loan eligibility may be reduced.

Your eligibility will be adjusted based on your enrollment intensity, which means the percentage of full-time credits you take during the academic year.

For example, a typical graduate student attending Fall 2026, Winter 2027, and Spring 2027 could borrow up to $20,500 for the academic year if enrolled full-time in all three terms:

• 9 credits in Fall
• 9 credits in Winter
• 9 credits in Spring

This equals 27 total credits for the academic year.

If the student instead enrolls in:

• 5 credits in Fall
• 8 credits in Winter
• 7 credits in Spring

the total enrollment would be: 5 + 8 + 7 = 20 credits

Because 20 credits is approximately 74% of full-time enrollment for the academic year (20 ÷ 27 = ~0.74 rounded), the student would be eligible to borrow 74% of the annual loan limit:

$20,500 × 0.74 = $15,170

The $15,170 could be divided across the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms based on the number of credits taken each term. Because enrollment may vary by term, loan disbursement amounts may not be equal each term. You must still be enrolled at least half-time (5+ credits) to be eligible for a Direct Loan disbursement in a term.

5. How much can I borrow in Grad PLUS?

If you qualify for legacy provisions, you may borrow up to your estimated cost of attendance, minus other aid received. However, if you are enrolled less than full-time (less than 9 credits), your PLUS loans will also be adjusted based on your enrollment. 
If you do not qualify for legacy provisions, you are not eligible to borrow Grad PLUS Loans. 

6. Do I have to borrow a Grad PLUS Loan now to be able to borrow it in the future?

No. To qualify for legacy provisions (including future Grad PLUS eligibility), you must:

• Be enrolled in the same program, and
• Have borrowed a federal student loan for that program before July 1, 2026. This can either be a Direct Unsubsidized Loan or a Grad PLUS Loan.

If you meet these requirements, you can continue borrowing Grad PLUS Loans as long as you maintain your legacy status. 

7. If I cannot borrow Grad PLUS Loans, what other funding options do I have?

If you are not eligible for Grad PLUS Loans, you may still borrow

• Up to $20,500 per year in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• Private or alternative student loans up to your total estimated Cost of Attendance, minus other aid received. Learn more on our Private Loans webpage.