Step 3: Paying for dental school under the new caps

For students starting a program on or after July 1, 2026, federal loans no longer cover the full cost of attendance.

What you need to know

Grad PLUS closed to new borrowers on July 1, 2026. Professional students — dental students included — can now borrow up to $50,000 a year and $200,000 in total from the federal government. Many dental schools cost $90,000 to $120,000 a year, so most new D1s will have a gap.

That gap gets filled by scholarships, savings, family, service programs (like HPSP or NHSC) or private loans. Private loans have no income-driven plans, no forgiveness, no PSLF and no federal pauses, and they usually charge a higher rate.

If you were already borrowing for your program before July 1, 2026, you keep the old limits for up to three more academic years. Turn on the planner below to see your year-by-year federal and private balances at graduation — the rest of the guide then uses them.

Use federal money first. It's cheaper and it keeps RAP and PSLF open to you.

Paying for school: federal vs. private

Plan my school borrowing here (sets the loan balances used below)New professional students can borrow $50,000/yr and $200,000 total in federal loans, with Grad PLUS closed. Anything above that has to come from savings, scholarships or private loans.

Estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Rules reflect the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as implemented by the Department of Education (last reviewed September 2026). Confirm with your servicer, StudentAid.gov, and a CPA or planner who works with dentists.