gradPlus information

It depends on when you start your program. 

If you begin your first program course and receive your first federal student loan disbursement for that program BEFORE July 1, 2026:

• You will be classified as a current borrower. 
• You can access the Graduate PLUS loan application under existing rules for up to three years or for the published length of your program, whichever comes first. 
• Your federal borrowing is capped at $20,500/year ($138,500 aggregate) for graduate programs, and $37,148/year ($238,500 aggregate) for professional programs. 
• You must remain continuously enrolled — a leave of absence or change in academic program will end this protection. 

If your program begins ON OR AFTER July 1, 2026: 

• Graduate PLUS loans will not be available under any circumstances.
• Your federal borrowing is capped at $20,500/year ($100,000 aggregate) for graduate programs, and $50,000/year ($200,000 aggregate) for professional programs. 
• You will have a $257,500 lifetime limit for all Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and Grad PLUS borrowing at all academic levels. Private loans, institutional aid, fellowships, and assistantships are the primary alternatives. 

Institutional funding — fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, and grants — is not affected by this federal legislation. If your offer included Grad PLUS eligibility and you are starting after July 1, 2026, or you start your program before July 1, 2026, but do not receive a loan disbursement by that date, we will contact you directly to discuss revised options. Please reach out to financial aid with any questions about your specific offer. 

Federal unsubsidized loans remain available up to the new caps. Private education loans are also an option through various lenders, varying in credit requirements, rates, and repayment terms. We can also work with you on fellowship, assistantship, and external scholarship opportunities. Financial aid advising appointments are available before you begin enrollment. 

Alternative funding sources: 

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans — generally exhaust this first ($20,500/year for graduate; $50,000 for professional). 
• Institutional fellowships and assistantships — apply to all available opportunities; these carry no repayment obligation. 
• External scholarships — professional associations, foundations, and federal agencies offer field-specific awards; financial aid maintains a resource list. 
• Private education loans — available through banks, credit unions, and specialty lenders; require credit review; may carry higher rates and fewer borrower protections than federal loans; may require a creditworthy co-signer. 
• Employer tuition assistance — if you are employed, check whether your employer offers education benefits under IRC §127 (up to $5,250/year tax-free, made permanent under OBBBA). 
• Part-time enrollment — if feasible, this extends the time to complete but reduces the annual borrowing eligibility. 

This matters significantly — professional programs have higher federal loan caps ($50,000/year vs. $20,500/year) starting July 1, 2026. Programs explicitly designated as professional in federal regulation include: 

• Medicine (MD), Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Dentistry (DDS/DMD), Veterinary Medicine (DVM). 
• Law (JD, LLM), Pharmacy (PharmD), Optometry (OD), Podiatry (DPM). 
• Chiropractic Medicine (DC), Theology (M.Div., MHL). 
• Clinical Psychology (Psy.D., Ph.D.). 

If your program is not on this list, confirm its classification with your admissions representative or the Office of Financial Aid.  

This matters significantly — professional programs have higher federal loan caps ($50,000/year vs. $20,500/year) starting July 1, 2026. Programs explicitly designated as professional in federal regulation include:

• Medicine (MD), Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Dentistry (DDS/DMD), Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
• Law (JD, LLM), Pharmacy (PharmD), Optometry (OD), Podiatry (DPM).
• Chiropractic Medicine (DC), Theology (M.Div., MHL).
• Clinical Psychology (Psy.D., Ph.D.).

If your program is not on this list, confirm its classification with your admissions representative or the Office of Financial Aid.

This is critical to understand before you enroll: starting before July 1, 2026, may give you access to legacy protection, but that protection is conditional on continuous enrollment throughout your program. 

If you take a leave of absence for a required semester at any point (contact the Office of Financial Aid to understand any exceptions) — even years into your program — after July 1, 2026, you will be reclassified as a new borrower upon return. At that point, Graduate PLUS will no longer be available, and you will be subject to the new annual, aggregate, and lifetime caps. 

For students in programs with a high likelihood of interruptions — those managing health conditions, caregiving responsibilities, or research in complex field environments — this is a material financial risk to factor into your enrollment decision and funding plan. 

Beginning with the Fall 2026 semester, federal loan eligibility is reduced for part-time enrollment. Full-time enrollment at Adler University is defined as six credit hours per semester or a full-time enrollment exception. If you are enrolled less than full-time, your federal loan for the year will be reduced accordingly. If you begin the term with full-time enrollment, but do not complete all of your coursework, your anticipated loan disbursement for a future term within the same academic year may be required to be reduced. If you are anticipating part-time enrollment or are considering a change of enrollment within the academic year, contact the Office of Financial Aid for guidance.