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ED Changes Grad PLUS Rule: Credit Hours Now Decide Who Keeps Uncapped Student Loans

ED Changes Grad PLUS Rule: Credit Hours Now Decide Who Keeps Uncapped Student Loans

Author: The College Investor August 26, 2026 Duration: 6:23
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The Education Department has quietly changed how it decides whether continuing graduate students can still borrow uncapped Grad PLUS loans, and the change is already generating denials for students who have been enrolled.

During an August 12 Federal Student Aid webinar on the implementation of new loan limits and the interim exception for continuing students, FSA staff told schools to calculate “expected time to credential” using credit hours completed rather than time enrolled. That formula determines how much longer a grandfathered borrower keeps access to Grad PLUS after the program formally ended on July 1, 2026.

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators called it a significant departure from prior guidance, noting that ED had previously told schools to measure the difference between program length in weeks, months, or years and the portion the student finished before July 1.

Education Department spokesperson Ellen Keast told Inside Higher Ed the approach is “not anything new” and had come up in earlier virtual office hours, though the department did not point to where it was written down. When ED finalized the loan limits and new repayment plans, the written record pointed the other way: the final rule text at 34 CFR 685.102 and the department’s May 20 loan limits FAQ both describe the calculation in terms of time.


Hosted by Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor and a recognized Millennial Money Expert, The College Investor Audio Show transforms the website's most valuable insights into a daily, conversational format. This podcast directly tackles the financial hurdles unique to a generation, moving beyond theory into practical, actionable strategies. Each episode focuses on the core pillars of modern financial health: systematically eliminating student loan debt, demystifying the fundamentals of investing, and creating actionable paths to increase your income. The goal is clear: to guide you from a place of debt management to one of confident wealth building. You'll hear straightforward advice on navigating repayment plans, understanding where and how to start investing even with limited capital, and exploring side hustles or career moves that make a real difference. It’s a resource for anyone feeling stalled by their loans and eager to lay a solid foundation for their future. Tune in for a no-nonsense take on millennial money, where complex topics are broken down into manageable steps you can apply immediately.
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