Raleigh, NC – Students pursuing healthcare administration and healthcare management degrees may face rising financial pressures as sweeping federal aid reforms take effect in 2026. Graduate-level programs—common in this field—are among the most significantly impacted by the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans and the introduction of strict new borrowing limits.
According to federal changes, students in graduate healthcare administration programs will no longer have access to the Graduate PLUS program beginning July 1, 2026. Instead, borrowing will be capped at $20,500 per year with a maximum graduate lifetime limit of $100,000, and a total lifetime federal borrowing limit of $257,500 across all degrees.
Certificate-level and short-term healthcare administration programs face additional challenges. Programs that are unaccredited, non-credit, or below 150 instructional hours cannot receive Title IV aid. Those between 150 and 600 hours must now meet Workforce Pell requirements, including a 70% completion rate, a 70% job placement rate, and program tuition within graduates’ measured value-added earnings from prior cohorts.
By July 1, 2026, programs must also pass the “low earnings outcomes” test, losing Direct Loan eligibility if graduates earn the same or less than adults with only a high school diploma for two out of three years.
Institutions warn the changes may limit affordable pathways into one of healthcare’s fastest-growing administrative fields.
