The One Big Beautiful Bill, passed in 2025, introduced new caps on Parent PLUS Loan borrowing effective for the 2026-27 academic year. Standard limits are now set at $20,000 annually per dependent student and $65,000 over the student’s lifetime.
Do I Qualify for the Temporary Exception?
Parents may borrow in excess of the new limits as a Parent PLUS Loan borrower if their student meets all of the following criteria:
- Enrolled at Colgate as of June 30, 2026: The student was matriculated in a Bachelor of Arts Degree (AB) Program at Colgate University.
- Remain enrolled at Colgate after July 1, 2026: and are seeking the same AB credential.
- Borrowed a Federal Direct Loan prior to July 1, 2026: Received at least one student or parent Federal Direct Loan for the AB Program at Colgate University before July 1, 2026.
Temporary interim exceptions remain subject to change and could lead to reduced borrowing limits.
Important Eligibility Notes
Transfer students: Students who borrowed federal loans at a different institution prior to 2026-27 do not qualify for this exception.
The new rules issued by the One Big Beautiful Bill are complex. Parents should contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@colgate.edu if they wish to confirm the maximum amount they can borrow in a Parent PLUS Loan.
Please monitor the Federal Student Aid website, One Big Beautiful Bill Act - Important Definitions.