More Student Aid Data Privacy Updates from Education Department
Published Date: 4/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Education updated its system that handles student financial aid info to keep things running smoothly and protect your data. This change affects students, schools, and the government, making sure eligibility and aid details are accurate and secure. You’ve got until May 22, 2026, to share your thoughts before the update kicks in on April 22, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Legacy Borrower Transitional Protection
If you were enrolled in a program of study at an institution as of June 30, 2026 and had borrowed a Direct Loan for that program before July 1, 2026, the Department will identify and keep records for you as a "legacy" borrower so you can remain eligible under pre-2026 rules for the lesser of a transitional period not to exceed three academic years or the difference between the published program length and the period you already completed. The legacy protection ends if you complete the program, stop enrollment (unless on an approved leave of absence), or stop enrollment at the same institution.
Enforcement of New Aggregate Loan Caps
The Department will track and enforce revised aggregate loan limits, including tiered unsubsidized caps for graduate and professional students, an aggregate lifetime limit for Parent PLUS borrowers per dependent, and a non-PLUS lifetime maximum aggregate loan limit. These revised aggregate limits will be recorded in the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system to enforce borrowing caps.
Schools May Set Lower Annual Loan Limits
Financial aid administrators at institutions may maintain records of and set lower annual loan limits for students or parent borrowers, and the COD system will record and apply those reduced limits so they are applied consistently across a specific program of study. The change is intended to support implementation of provisions authorizing these lower annual limits.
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Key Dates
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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 data accurate and secure for those using federal aid programs. 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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