“Big Beautiful Bill”

Dear Valued CSU Global Community,

CSU Global leadership has reviewed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which passed into law on July 4, 2025, for potential impact to our community. The bill includes several changes impacting both students and institutions of higher education. We understand that new federal legislation can bring questions, and we want to assure you that CSU Global is continuously reviewing the details and working with our financial aid partners to understand its full implications for our students, faculty, and staff.

Overview of Key Changes Impacting Higher Education:

The bill introduces some notable changes to federal student aid programs and institutional accountability:

• Student Loan Caps: Starting July 2026, new annual and aggregate caps will be placed on federal student loans for graduate and professional students, as well as Parent PLUS loans. Graduate students will be capped at $20,500 per academic year with a lifetime maximum of $100,000 (previously $138,500). Parent PLUS loans will be limited to $20,000 per year with a $65,000 lifetime maximum per student.
  • With CSU Global’s affordable tuition rates and no student fees, your institutional cost of attendance remains significantly below these new academic year borrowing limits.
  • Please check with your CSU Global Student Financial Aid Advisor for questions regarding academic year periods as it applies to your enrollment.
• Graduate PLUS Loan Elimination: Beginning in July 2026, the Graduate PLUS program will be eliminated. Current borrowers however will be able to continue borrowing under the current terms and conditions for up to three academic years or until the end of their program, whichever is first.
  • Please check with your CSU Global Student Financial Aid Advisor for questions regarding Graduate PLUS loans as it applies to your enrollment.
  • Please check with your CSU Global Student Success Counselor for questions regarding course scheduling and time to completion.
• Pell Grant Eligibility: Changes to the Student Aid Index calculation may result in fewer students being eligible for Pell Grants. However, starting in  July 2026, it is expected that low-income students will be able to use Pell Grants for short-term job training programs that meet specific criteria for high-skill or in-demand careers.
• Student Loan Repayment: Effective July 2026, new federal student loan borrowers will choose from two repayment plans: a fixed monthly plan or a new income-based Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). RAP replaces the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan and requires borrowers to pay between 1% and 10% of their income, with a minimum payment of $10 and loan forgiveness after 30 years. Borrowers currently on the SAVE plan have until July 1, 2028, to switch or be automatically enrolled in RAP.
  • Please check with your loan servicer to discuss repayment options for your loans.

We encourage you to utilize the following resources for additional information:

• NASFAA: “Trump Signs Sprawling Reconciliation Package Into Law, Here’s How it Impacts Higher Ed” (Stay tuned on NASFAA’s Today’s News page for additional coverage and more details on guidance associated with this law).
• The College Investor: “Grad PLUS Loans Will be Ending in 2026”
• Inside Higher Ed: “Big, Beautiful Bill” Means Big Changes for Higher Ed

We advise all students to reach out to their CSU Global Student Financial Aid Advisor or Student Success Counselor with any questions or concerns. Our advisors are dedicated to providing personalized guidance and support.

Please be aware that this is an evolving situation, and CSU Global will provide continuous updates as we learn more about the implementation and full impact of the bill. Please continue to monitor our Federal Updates webpage for official updates.