OBBBA 2026 — In-Depth Guides
Plain-English breakdowns of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act changes, written by Moises Lopez. Every figure sourced from official FSA guidance and P.L. 119-21.
OBBBA Federal Student Aid Changes: Complete 2025–2026 Timeline
Every major OBBBA implementation milestone from the July 2025 signing through the July 2028 IDR transition deadline — and what each date means for students, parents, and borrowers.
Read article →FAFSA 2026–27 Filing Checklist: Everything You Need Before You Submit
A complete step-by-step checklist covering required documents, key deadlines, new OBBBA rules affecting your application, and what to do after you submit.
Read article →Your Parent PLUS Loan Strategy After OBBBA 2026
The $20,000 annual cap changes every borrowing decision parents face. Learn how the new limits work, who qualifies for legacy protections, and how to bridge the gap.
Read article →RAP vs. SAVE vs. IBR: A Plain-English Repayment Comparison
The Repayment Assistance Plan replaces SAVE, IBR, and PAYE for new borrowers. Here is exactly how the AGI-based payment formula works and who benefits most.
Read article →RAP vs. SAVE: Which Plan Disappears Under OBBBA and What Replaces It
SAVE, IBR, PAYE, and ICR are eliminated for new borrowers. Here is how the new Repayment Assistance Plan formula works, who is affected, and what legacy borrowers must do before the July 2028 transition deadline.
Read article →Who Qualifies for the New Workforce Pell Grant?
For the first time, bachelor's degree holders can receive federal Pell Grant funds. Here is the exact eligibility checklist, program length rules, and field requirements.
Read article →FAFSA Legacy Borrower Status: The Complete 2026 Guide
Legacy borrower status is the most consequential determination OBBBA makes. Understand exactly what qualifies you, what voids it, and how the 3-year window works.
Read article →Graduate Student Loans After OBBBA: What You Can Still Borrow
Graduate PLUS loans are eliminated for new borrowers. This guide maps out the remaining federal options, the new aggregate limits, and strategies for covering the gap.
Read article →How to Read Your SAI: What the Number Actually Means
The Student Aid Index replaced the Expected Family Contribution in 2024. Learn how your SAI is calculated, what a negative SAI means, and how schools use it to award financial aid.
Read article →FAFSA Dependency Status: When You Can File as an Independent Student
Your dependency status determines whose income the FAFSA counts — and the difference can be enormous. Learn the 10 independence criteria, what a dependency override is, and why this affects so much more than just your SAI.
Read article →State Aid Deadlines That Matter More Than the Federal One
The federal FAFSA deadline is not the one that controls your state grant eligibility. Most states have earlier priority deadlines — and missing them can permanently cost thousands in non-renewable grant funding.
Read article →What Happens If You Miss the FAFSA Deadline
Missing a FAFSA deadline doesn't necessarily end your aid eligibility — but the consequences depend entirely on which deadline you missed. Learn what you can still recover, what you can't, and what the 45-day incomplete FAFSA rule actually means.
Read article →All articles are written by Moises Lopez, an independent researcher. Content is sourced from FSA Dear Colleague Letters, NASFAA guidance, and the statutory text of P.L. 119-21. FAFSA Guide 2026 is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education. Verify current aid information at studentaid.gov.