The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1), signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. For students, families, and institutions like JMU, this bill is significant because it changes some rules related to the federal aid (Title IV) programs. For example, the bill:
- Changes some rules for determining Pell Grant eligibility
- Modifies the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan program
- Eliminates the Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan program
- Introduces new eligibility criteria and reporting requirements that could affect how aid is awarded and maintained
As of the development of this webpage, these changes are scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2026, and/or with the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student.
What We Know
We currently understand that adjustments are being put in place regarding loan options for students and parents of dependent students. The links below go into further detail on the changes and updates of each loan type that will have adjustments following the provisions of the new bill. Some provisions are straightforward and already being reviewed by our team.
Area Updates
JMU's Response
JMU is engaging with national conversations and are actively participating in discussions to get answers as quickly as possible.
Stay Updated
Check back for updates. This page will be updated as new information becomes available.
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