If you’ve been following my blog, you already know that my academic journey has been anything but traditional — seven gap years and counting. I started off as a pre-med student, but over time I shifted gears toward becoming a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA). And now, thanks to recent legislation, I’m facing another curveball — one that affects not only me but countless other students from low-income backgrounds.
What’s Going On?
The Trump administration recently passed a bill (yes, the “big, beautiful” one) that is about to change the future of graduate education funding. Here's a quick breakdown of what this means:
Key Changes (Effective July 1, 2026):
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Grad PLUS Loans Eliminated: The federal Graduate PLUS loan program, which allows students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, will be discontinued for new borrowers starting with the 2026–27 academic year.
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New Federal Loan Caps:
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Master's/General Graduate Programs: $20,500 per year, with a $100,000 lifetime cap.
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Professional Programs (Medical, Law, Dentistry, etc.): $50,000 per year, with a $200,000 lifetime cap.
How This Affects Me (and Many Others)
These changes hit hard. Programs like CAA and medical school are incredibly expensive — for example, tuition alone for the CAA program at Nova Southeastern University is about $65,000 per year. Under the new rules, the $50,000 cap won’t even cover tuition, let alone cost of living.
That means I (and many like me) would be forced to take out private loans — with higher interest rates and fewer protections — just to make up the difference. And because these programs are full-time and intense, working while attending isn’t a realistic option.
The Only Silver Lining: The Grandfather Clause
There is one lifeline: If you're already enrolled in a grad or professional program and have taken out at least one Grad PLUS loan before July 1, 2026, you’re grandfathered in — meaning you can continue borrowing through Grad PLUS until the 2028–29 school year.
So what does that mean for me?
I need to get accepted into a CAA program that starts before July 1, 2026. That narrows my options significantly. Most programs start in August or later — which would disqualify me from the grandfather clause.
My Game Plan
So here's what I'm doing:
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Post-Bac Program (My Top Choice): I applied to a post-baccalaureate program that guarantees a seat in Nova Southeastern’s CAA program — which starts in May 2026. Interviews start July 28, so I’m still waiting to hear back. Fingers crossed!
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Direct CAA Admission: I also applied directly to CAA programs that start before July 2026. The South Orlando campus starts in March (weird, I know), and Nova’s Florida campuses start in May. These are now my only real options.
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Plan C – Caribbean Medical School: If I don’t get into a CAA program, I’ll apply to Caribbean medical schools. Unlike most U.S. med schools, they offer January and May start dates, which means I could still qualify for Grad PLUS loans under the grandfather clause if I start by May 2026. I’d take the MCAT in January 2026, apply right after, and aim to start by May.*** This also means I have to take my child's father to court, so I can get a passport for my daughter.
Why This Year Is My Final Shot
This really is it — my last gap year, my last year of teaching, and my last chance to make this career change affordable. If I don’t start school before July 2026, the door to federal Grad PLUS loans slams shut — and I honestly won’t be able to afford school any other way.
Even with the grandfather clause, I’ll still need to find funding for my fourth year of medical school, because the Grad PLUS coverage ends after three. That might mean dipping into savings or taking out private loans — but at least it’s only for one year instead of all four.
For Those Just Starting Out…
If you're early in your pre-med journey and these changes affect your timeline, here’s what I’d suggest:
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Look for schools with lower tuition.
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Apply for programs that offer scholarships or financial support.
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Consider military options (e.g., HPSP) — they can help pay for school.
Final Thoughts
It’s heartbreaking, honestly. These new rules are going to disproportionately affect students from low-income backgrounds who are trying to change their lives through education. It feels like yet another barrier for those of us without financial support or generational wealth. But I’m not giving up — and if you’re in a similar boat, I hope you won’t either.
This is the year everything has to come together. No more gap years. No more waiting.
Let’s do this.
