The future of the federal student loan program after OBBBA

Last summer, Congress passed sweeping changes to the student loan program as part of the budget reconciliation process that produced the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The legislation reduced how much students can borrow for graduate and professional programs and how much parents can borrow on behalf of their children. It also remade the student loan repayment system for both new and existing borrowers.

On Thursday, March 19, the Brookings Center for Economic Security and Opportunity will host a discussion of how the changes to the federal student loan program under OBBBA will affect student loan borrowers, their families, and institutions of higher education. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion of recent changes and what is next for student loan policy.

The event will begin with keynote remarks and audience Q&A with Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.). After the keynote, a panel of experts will discuss the likely impact of recent changes to the student loan program. We will conclude with a fireside chat with Undersecretary of Education Nicholas Kent.

Online viewers can pose questions in advance by emailing [email protected].