Overview
- Loan Type: Graduate & professional
- Eligibility: FAFSA completion required
- Enrollment: Part-time minimum
- Credit Check: For Grad PLUS Loans
- Interest: Fixed federal rates
- Repayment: Begins after grace period
- FAFSA Required: Yes
- Resources: Student Aid & IonTuition
About
Graduate and professional federal loans are available to eligible students pursuing advanced degree programs at Palm Beach Atlantic University. These loans can help cover tuition, fees, and other educational expenses while offering federal borrower protections and repayment options.
Federal loan programs for graduate and professional students include Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans. Beginning July 1, 2026, federal legislation under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces updates to borrowing limits and phases out the Grad PLUS Loan program for new borrowers.
Students currently enrolled and borrowing before July 1, 2026 may continue borrowing under existing terms for up to three additional years or until degree completion, whichever comes first.
Explore the sections below to learn more about loan options, application requirements, and updated federal borrowing limits.
Federal Loan Updates
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces several updates to the rules and limits for Federal Student Loans. These updates affect loan limits, the discontinuation of the Grad PLUS Loan Program, and adjustments to repayment options.
Please note that the Department of Education is still releasing additional guidance to clarify certain parts of the new law. We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.
Graduate PLUS Loan
The Grad PLUS loan program will be eliminated for new borrowers in any degree program starting July 1, 2026.
I have already borrowed federal loans for my current degree program. How do these changes impact me?
If you borrowed federal loans, including Grad PLUS loans, before July 1, 2026 for the program in which you are currently enrolled, you:
- May continue borrowing under the current loan terms and limits
- Can borrow for up to three additional years or until your expected degree completion date (whichever comes first).
Note: The new lifetime aggregate limit of $257,500 includes all federal student loans combined—undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree loans.
Starting July 1, 2026, new borrowing limits (or “caps”) will apply to students taking out new federal loans.
The new borrowing caps only apply to new borrowers for that program after July 1, 2026.
- Annual borrowing limit: $50,000
- Total borrowing limit for professional loans: $200,000
- Overall lifetime limit for all federal loans: $257,500
- Annual borrowing limit: $20,500
- Total borrowing limit for graduate loans: $100,000
- Overall lifetime limit for all federal loans: $257,500
How to Apply
First, complete the FAFSA:
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Review your financial aid offer and payment options
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Decide if you would like to borrow the loan(s) available to you
Next, complete the Loan Entrance Counseling session:
Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN):
Apply for Graduate PLUS Loans
After you successfully file the FAFSA, you may apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan. The application link is below.
- Obtaining an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Graduate PLUS loan if you do not repay it. The endorser cannot be the child on whose behalf you are borrowing.
- Submitting an appeal with the U.S. Department of Education if you believe that there are extenuating circumstances relating to your adverse credit history.
Upon approval for either option you will need to complete the Credit Counseling for PLUS Loan Borrowers.
Yearly Loan Limits
For Graduate and Professional students currently enrolled in a program before July 1,2026.
Graduate (120+ Credit Hours)
• $20,500
• Unsubsidized loans only
Pharmacy (90+ Credit hours)
• $33,000
• Unsubsidized loans only
Lifetime Loan Limits
- $138,000
- Unsubsidized loans only
Please note that these lifetime totals do not take into consideration any graduate PLUS loans or private loans taken out by a student.
- $224,000
- Unsubsidized loans only
Please note that these lifetime totals do not take into consideration any graduate PLUS loans or private loans taken out by a student.
Student Loan Guidance
IonTuition
Did you receive a phone call from the IonTuition? Palm Beach Atlantic University is partnered with the IonTuition who is dedicated to helping students take control of their education loans.Since 2009 they have worked with colleges & universities across the country helping students avoid delinquency and default on their student loans. Their expert concierge advisers have served over three million students by placing them into sustainable repayment plans, regardless of their loan balance or personal income.
For more information you can contact IonTuition at (855) 456-2656 or email advisors@iontuition.support