Changes in Borrowing Limits for Graduate Students
Starting July 1st 2026, provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, originally passed in July of 2025, will go into effect, bringing with it changes to the borrowing limits of graduate students, including certain categories of NUNM students seeking their degrees in Naturopathic and Chinese Medicine.
The most impactful changes for graduate students borrowing Federal dollars to support their education is two-fold:
- The Graduate PLUS Loan Program is being discontinued
- The recategorization of what constitutes a “professional” degree
The program, prior to this change, allowed qualified graduate students the opportunity to borrow funds up to or equivalent to the cost of attendance of their program.
Under the new provisions, the Department of Education has changed how certain healthcare degrees are classified. As a result, future students may lose access to the Graduate PLUS Loan Program. Students who enroll before the change takes effect on July 1, 2026 will be able to access this funding option, while current students are already grandfathered into the program.
Graduate PLUS Loan Legacy Provision
NUNM students seeking their graduate degrees in Naturopathic or Chinese Medicine should be aware of the Graduate PLUS Loan Legacy Provision.
Qualifying students with an active federal student loan issued before July 1st, 2026 may continue borrowing according to the terms of their previous loan limits for three academic years or until the student completes their program of study, whichever happens first.
In order for qualifying students to best take advantage of the Graduate PLUS Loan Legacy Provision, NUNM is offering an early start for select programs so that students may receive aid prior to these changes taking place.
The dates and relevant programs are as follows:
- April and June of 2026: Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
- June of 2026: Chinese Medicine
Supporting Student Goals
We will be offering a Spring and Summer (June 29th) start date for the ND program and a summer start for CM and ND in order to allow students to access grad plus loans and to have access to the higher loan limits for at least part of their education.
“Our goal is to, as always, expand access to integrative, whole-person care, and valuable resources and education to the millions of individuals who choose to make it their life’s work.”
NUNM Continues Its Commitment to Students and Naturopathic Care
“While we’re frustrated with the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to exclude Naturopathic Medicine from from their definition of ‘professional degree programs’ — a decision that appears to be in direct conflict with the Department of Health and Human Services’ own preventative care-centric goals —NUNM will continue to find ways to better support students who are seeking to further their education and ultimately deliver a patient-centered, whole person approach to chronic disease prevention and lifetime care,” said NUNM President, Melanie Henriksen.
“Our goal is to, as always, expand access to integrative, whole-person care, and valuable resources and education to the millions of individuals who choose to make it their life’s work.”
Please Note: This information is based on the most recently available information to NUNM at the time of publication. The Department of Education may make additional changes to these programs prior to July 1st. If such changes occur, we will release new, updated information as soon as possible.
Media Contact:
Jayme Barnes
Director of Marketing and Communications
National University of Natural Medicine
jbarnes@nunm.edu
971-404-6600
About NUNM The National University of Natural Medicine, founded in 1956, is the longest-standing accredited naturopathic medical school in North America. Located in Portland, Oregon, NUNM offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in naturopathic medicine, Chinese medicine, nutrition, integrative health sciences, and research. The university is also home to NUNM Health Centers, a teaching clinic that provides accessible, patient-centered integrative primary care to the Portland community. Learn more at nunm.edu and nunmhealthcenters.com