Answering Your Top Questions on Education and Student Financing

In response to a recent call for your education-related questions, we received inquiries covering student loans, settlements at Columbia University, the status of international students, and more. Our team of knowledgeable reporters provides detailed answers to these pressing issues.

The most frequent concern among readers was how to afford college. Tara Siegel Bernard, a personal finance specialist, addresses some of these questions.

For example, Karen Stanish from Keene, New Hampshire, asked how new federal legislation will affect Pell Grants and accessibility to higher education for students from low-income backgrounds.

The legislation introduces both challenges and opportunities. Students dependent on parental loans will encounter new borrowing limits, and graduate students will face caps on federal loans. Additionally, Medicaid work requirements may complicate balancing employment and studies. Conversely, Pell Grants can now be applied toward nondegree programs such as vocational training. However, students receiving other full-coverage grants—whether from their institution, state, or local scholarships—will no longer qualify for Pell Grants.

Matt Kleinman from Washington, D.C., raised concerns about the federal loan limits for graduate education, including medical and law schools, and how institutions might adapt.

Starting July 2026, professional school loans will be capped at $50,000 annually, with a $200,000 lifetime maximum. This amount falls short of the typical costs associated with fields like dentistry or medicine. As a result, some students may seek additional funding through private lenders.