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Negotiators finalized President Donald Trump’s student-loan overhaul, with the Education Department to publish rules early next year before a July 2026 start. The plan ends Grad PLUS, caps borrowing at $20,500 a year or $100,000 lifetime for graduate students and $50,000 for professional students or $200,000 lifetime, and replaces income-driven plans with a standard plan and a Repayment Assistance Plan offering forgiveness after 30 years. Advocates warned narrow "professional" definitions could strain healthcare pipelines; Undersecretary Nicholas Kent touted accountability and lower tuition. Borrowers with loans before July 1, 2026 keep income-based repayment; later borrowers eligible for the new plan.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.