Education Dept Updates Student Loan Privacy Records System
Published Date: 4/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Education is updating its records system that handles info about students, borrowers, cosigners, and endorsers of federal student loans. This change helps keep your data safe and organized for loan programs under the Higher Education Act. You can share your thoughts by May 22, 2026, before the update goes live on April 22, 2026—no extra costs involved, just smoother service!
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Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
“Legacy” PLUS Borrowers Preserved
If you received a Graduate PLUS or Parent PLUS loan before June 30, 2026, the Department will keep a "legacy" record so you can stay eligible under pre-2026 rules for the lesser of a transitional period not to exceed three academic years or until you finish your current program of study. This change is part of the Department's Common Services for Borrowers system and takes effect April 22, 2026.
New Tracking of Lower PLUS Loan Limits
The Department will record and enforce lower annual and aggregate loan limits for PLUS loans, including tiered unsubsidized caps for graduate/professional students, a gross lifetime limit for Parent PLUS borrowers per dependent, and a universal non-PLUS lifetime maximum. The system changes support financial aid administrators in applying these reduced limits consistently and become applicable April 22, 2026.
Expanded Records for Borrowers, Cosigners, Endorsers
The Department's Common Services for Borrowers system will maintain identity, repayment, discharge, income-consent for IDR, and other records for borrowers, cosigners, and endorsers to verify eligibility, service loans, and respond to possible breaches. The modification is effective April 22, 2026, and the public may comment by May 22, 2026.
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