Five Proposed Federal Student Loan Changes You Shouldn’t Ignore in 2026

Federal student loan changes could raise payments for millions

Millions of federal student loan borrowers may soon face higher monthly payments and fewer repayment protections.

The Department of Education has proposed sweeping changes under the Reimagining and Improving Student Education, or RISE, rule. If finalized, the changes would eliminate Graduate PLUS loans, restrict Parent PLUS repayment options and tighten deferment rules.

Parent borrowers could lose access to income-driven repayment as early as July. Graduate students would face strict borrowing caps beginning in 2026. Borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan may need to switch repayment programs within the next year.

For households with student debt, this is not theoretical. It affects what you can borrow, what you must repay and how flexible your loan will be during financial hardship.