AANMC Federal Student Aid Updates Under the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB)

AANMC Federal Student Aid Updates Under the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB)

Dear Prospective and Current Naturopathic Medical Students, and ND community,

At the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC), we are committed to supporting your journey toward becoming a naturopathic doctor. We want to share important updates regarding federal student loan policy changes resulting from the recently passed federal budget reconciliation legislation commonly referred to as the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB).

While we are still awaiting full guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, here is what we understand at this time. Please note: this information may evolve, and AANMC will continue to update this page as new details become available.

What AANMC Member Schools Are Doing

All AANMC member schools are working together to explore every possible solution to ensure that students can continue to access the education and clinical training needed to become licensed naturopathic physicians.

We are actively engaging:

• Federal and state policymakers
• Accrediting bodies
• Professional associations
• Testing and licensing agencies

Our goal is to preserve access and affordability for all future naturopathic medical students while ensuring strong outcomes for graduates.

Key Changes That May Affect You

1. Graduate PLUS Loans
   The Graduate PLUS Loan Program will be eliminated as of July 1, 2026. However, a legacy provision allows currently enrolled students to continue using Grad PLUS loans and to continue borrowing under their existing loan limits for up to three academic years from fall of 2026 or the remainder of their program, whichever is less.
2. Annual & Aggregate Graduate Unsubsidized Loan Limits

• • Professional students (including Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Doctor of Naturopathy students):
    • Award limit: $50,000
    • Lifetime/aggregate limit: $200,000
  • Graduate students (e.g., Master’s programs):
    • Award limit: $20,500
    • Lifetime/aggregate limit: $100,000

3. Lifetime Cap on All Federal Loans
   A new federal borrowing cap of $257,500 will apply across all federal loan types combined.
4. Repayment Plans – New Borrowers (after July 1, 2026)

• • Borrowers will have access to two repayment plans:
    • A standard repayment plan (fixed monthly payments, 10–25 years)
    • A new income-based plan known as RAP (Repayment Assistance Plan)

5. Repayment Plans – Current Borrowers (before July 1, 2026)

• • You may remain in your current plan (Standard, Income-Based Repayment [IBR], Graduated, Extended), or opt into RAP.

Borrowers in plans like ICR, PAYE, or SAVE will need to transition to a new plan by July 1, 2028 or will be automatically enrolled in RAP.

Legacy Protections for Current Students

If you are already enrolled in an accredited naturopathic medical program and have taken federal loans before July 1, 2026, the following provisions will continue to apply to you:

• Current award year loan limits:
  • $40,500 for Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Doctor of Naturopathy programs
  • $20,500 for graduate-level programs
• Current lifetime limits (inclusive of undergraduate borrowing):
  • $224,000 for Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Doctor of Naturopathy programs
  • $138,500 for other graduate programs
• Grad PLUS loans remain available for three academic years from the fall of 2026 or the remainder of their program, whichever is less.

Next Steps for You

If you are a prospective student, we strongly encourage you to:

• Speak directly with financial aid teams at the AANMC member schools you are considering. They can provide school-specific financial aid guidance and planning strategies.
• Monitor this page for updates as new guidance becomes available from the Department of Education.
• Reach out to us with any questions—we are here to help you navigate this evolving landscape.

Together, we remain committed to ensuring the naturopathic medical education pathway stays open, strong, and accessible.

With gratitude,
AANMC 

Disclaimer

The information provided above is based on our current understanding of the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) and its implications for federal student aid and graduate education. AANMC is not responsible for the creation, content, or enforcement of this legislation. We are committed to sharing timely and accurate updates as they become available and continue to engage with relevant agencies and partners to advocate for our students.

Prospective and current students are strongly encouraged to consult directly with their financial aid office or the U.S. Department of Education for guidance specific to their personal financial aid eligibility and planning.