Key Facts

• Federal student loan limits are capped at $100,000 for most graduate degrees and $200,000 for 11 professional degrees like doctors, pharmacists, and dentists.
• The limits take effect on July 1, 2025.
• Many health care degrees, especially medical school, cost much more than these loan caps—median tuition is about $298,000 at public and $408,000 at private medical schools.
• The Grad PLUS loan program, which allowed borrowing the full cost for advanced degrees, is ending, removing a key funding option.
• Students excluded by loan caps may turn to private lenders, but about 40% of Americans, including many low-income and people of color, are often ineligible for private loans.
• Private loans often have higher interest rates and less favorable terms than federal loans.
• Experts warn the new rules could reduce the number of future health care workers and worsen access to medical care.
• The Education Department says schools charge high tuition without regard to federal loan limits.