Dear Graduate and Professional Students,
In response to recent changes in federal student loan programs impacting graduate student borrowers, the university has explored the implications for continuing federal loan eligibility for current graduate and professional students, as well as additional financing options to support them. We are writing today to provide more information about both of these efforts.
Continuing Federal Loan Eligibility for Current Graduate and Professional Students
Georgetown University has been closely monitoring federal legislation regarding financial aid, specifically the new caps imposed on federal graduate student loans and the elimination of the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan program.
While there are no changes to federal student loans for the remainder of the 2025–2026 academic year or for classes that begin before July 1, 2026, changes resulting from this federal legislation will come into effect as of July 1, 2026. There is a legacy provision for current Grad PLUS borrowers who meet the following criteria:
- The student has received a federal loan disbursement for their current graduate or professional program and still has a balance owed on that loan.
- The student was enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year in the same academic program and is continuing in the same program on/after July 1, 2026.
- If both are true, then while continuously enrolled in the same program, the student can borrow from the Grad PLUS program for three additional academic years or until their expected program completion date as of July 1, 2026, whichever is less.
As of July 1, 2026, all federal graduate/professional loans will be subject to proration if the borrower is attending less-than-full-time.
Students should refer to federal governmental sources for official guidance. See studentaid.gov for more information.
New Preferred Private Education Loan Options
After extensive vetting, Georgetown has identified six major financial institutions as preferred lenders to support our students seeking alternatives to finance their graduate education. We believe these six lenders offer the most competitive private education loan options to domestic and international students, with one financial institution offering Georgetown-specific benefits.
Additional information about preferred lending options is available on the Main Campus Office of Student Financial Aid, School of Medicine Financial Aid and Law Center Financial Aid websites.
Georgetown’s focus remains on supporting our students through this evolving landscape and ensuring they continue to have access to the resources necessary to fund their education. If you have questions about financial aid, please reach out to the financial aid office for your academic program; contact information can be found on the financial aid websites linked above.
Sincerely,
Soyica Diggs Colbert
Interim Provost
Norman J. Beauchamp Jr.
Executive Vice President for Health Sciences
Joshua C. Teitelbaum
Interim Executive Vice President and Dean of the Law Center