Grandfathering/Legacy Provisions effective July 1, 2026 (called Limited Exception by ED) are allowed for the lesser of:
- Three academic years (9 quarters) or
- The difference between the *published length of the program minus the period of the program completed as of 7/1/26.
- Requires continuous enrollment in the program.
Impact on you: Our *published length of program is 14 quarters (3.5 calendar years); therefore, your continued eligibility for the graduate PLUS loan and exclusion from the **new Lifetime Loan Limits is limited:
- Once you have been enrolled for more than 14 quarters you are not eligible for the Grandfathering/Legacy Provisions.
- Exception: If you currently have pending loan disbursements for su26 or fa26 you are still eligible to receive them (i.e. loan periods for wi/sp/su, sp/su and sp/su/fa).
- If you enrolled spring 2025 or later you have nine quarters grandfathering eligibility remaining after 7/1/26.
- If you are a transfer student from another chiropractic college and/or have advanced standing you will receive a separate email regarding your standing with the published program length and remaining eligibility.
New Guidance regarding Lifetime Loan Limits:
In a recent and unexpected reversal of prior guidance the Department of Education has stated that the **new Lifetime Loan Limits of $257,500 includes Graduate PLUS loans. (In prior guidance graduate PLUS loans were excluded).
Impact on you: At the point that you are not eligible for the Grandfathering/Legacy Provisions this new Lifetime Loan Limit will apply to you. Once you have reached (or already exceed) the limit of $257,500 you will NOT be eligible for any federal loan program including the unsubsidized loan program. (The new loan limits are not applicable during the time period you qualify for the grandfathering/legacy provisions). This updates any prior communications sent regarding remaining unsubsidized eligibility.
Loans included in the Lifetime Loan Limit include: Perkins, subsidized & unsubsidized loans, graduate PLUS loans and any loans that have been forgiven, canceled or discharged.
We strongly encourage you to review current borrowing totals by reviewing the information on your dashboard at studentaid.gov . As stated in a prior communication you may wish to pursue private educational loans.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility, please make an appointment with the financial aid office (finaid@lifewest.edu).
