Senate Passes Sweeping Changes to Student Loans—Here’s What It Means for Future Veterinarians
Jill Lopez Jill Lopez

Senate Passes Sweeping Changes to Student Loans—Here’s What It Means for Future Veterinarians

Under the reconciliation bill passed by the Senate, veterinary students would face a lifetime cap of $100,000 on federal student loans, significantly limiting their access to financial aid. This new cap replaces the current system, where students can borrow up to $20,500 annually in unsubsidized Stafford Loans and cover the remaining cost of attendance through Graduate PLUS Loans, which have no formal cap. Importantly, the bill reserves a higher $200,000 borrowing limit only for medical and law students, excluding veterinary students from that group. With the average cost of veterinary education ranging from $250,000 to over $400,000, this change would leave a substantial funding gap that students would need to fill with private loans, which typically carry higher interest rates and fewer borrower protections. If enacted, this policy could make veterinary education significantly less accessible and financially riskier for aspiring veterinarians.

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