RISE Committee Reaches Consensus During Negotiated Rulemaking

Session 2 of negotiated rulemaking for the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee concluded on November 7, 2025. The committee reached consensus on the full package (17 total regulatory provisions) for implementing the student loan-related parts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will now draft the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register, open a public comment period, and then move toward final rulemaking.

Here are some of the changes that may impact Connecticut borrowers.

Grad PLUS Elimination

Effective July 1, 2026, the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan program will be discontinued for new borrowers.

Legacy Provision: Students who have a Graduate PLUS Loan disbursed before July 1, 2026, and continue to be enrolled in the same program may continue borrowing Grad PLUS Loans up to cost of attendance through either June 30, 2028, or until the end of their program, whichever comes first.

New Borrowing Limits for Graduate and Professional Students

New borrowers who have not previously received Direct Unsubsidized Loans before July 1, 2026, will be subject to the following new Direct Unsubsidized Loan Limits:

• Graduate Students: $20,500 annual | $100,000 aggregate
• Professional Students: $50,000 annual | $200,000 aggregate

Legacy Provision: Existing borrowers may continue to borrow under the current limits through either June 30, 2028, or until the end of their program, whichever comes first.

Changes to Repayment Plans

Major changes ahead for student loan repayment. Existing borrowers will see a phase out or simplification of Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans. Starting July 1, 2026, new borrowers will have access to only two repayment options: New Standard and Repayment Assistance Program (RAP). Watch this space for updates and breakdowns of the changes.

Refined Definition to “Professional Student”

The RISE committee also reached consensus on a final definition of “professional student.” The final definition limits professional programs to 11 primary programs as well as some doctoral programs as professional degree programs.  

U.S. Dept of Ed Announces Final Rule on Public Service Loan Forgiveness

October 30, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released its final rule regarding Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Congress established PSLF in 2007 to encourage Americans to pursue public service by promising to forgive remaining federal student loan payments after 10 years of both qualifying employment and monthly payments. The final rule offers further guidance on the definition of “qualifying employer.” Organizations that are deemed to engage in unlawful activities that have a substantial illegal purpose will be excluded as “qualifying employers.”

Further reading:



• Press Release | U.S. Department of Education Announces Final Rule on Public Service Loan Forgiveness to Protect American Taxpayers
• Federal Register | Final Rule
• Fact Sheet

CT Attorney General Sues Trump Administration and Department of Education

In response to the final ruling on PSLF, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, and 21 other state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for “unlawfully restricting eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PLSF) program, which allows government and nonprofit employees to have their federal student loans forgiven after ten years of service.” The coalition is concerned that the new ruling may cause countless public service workers nationwide to suddenly lose their PSLF eligibility if the ED, who has granted itself the power to unilaterally declare agencies or organizations ineligible, determines that their employer no longer meets the criteria of “qualified employer.” Additional information on the lawsuit can be found in the press release.

Goodbye Phone Tag, Hello Easy Booking!

Our office is excited to announce the launch of Bookings, our free online appointment booking application, debuting this December 2025! Connecticut borrowers with questions regarding student loans can utilize this feature to request a dedicated appointment time for either a phone call or a virtual appointment (through Microsoft Teams) with our office. We will initially offer the following options:

• 15 Minute Phone Call
• 30 Minute Phone Call
• 15 Minute Virtual Meeting
• 30 Minute Virtual Meeting

Bookmark our website today for when the launch goes live!

Out of Office

The Office of the Student Loan Ombudsperson will be closed November 26, 2025 through November 30th, 2025. We will return Monday, December 1, 2025.