What borrowers need to consider before the July federal student loan changes

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money What borrowers need to consider before the July federal student loan changes We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Angelica Leicht Angelica Leicht Senior Editor, Managing Your Money Angelica Leicht is the senior editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications. Read Full Bio Angelica Leicht June 4, 2026 / 2:21 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google The federal student loan changes arriving in July could have meaningful consequences for borrowers. Pla2na/Getty Images Federal student loan borrowers have spent the last few years adapting to a constantly changing borrowing and repayment landscape. Between the end of pandemic-era relief, the return of required student loan payments and a series of court challenges affecting repayment programs, the rules governing student loans have been anything but predictable recently.And now, another significant shift is approaching. Starting July 1, several federal student loan changes will go into effect, which are expected to reshape repayment options, student loan borrowing limits and eligibility rules for millions of current and future borrowers. While some of these changes will primarily affect new borrowers, others could have implications for those who are already carrying student loan debt.That doesn't necessarily mean borrowers need to rush into major financial decisions right away. But understanding what's coming — and how those changes could affect repayment strategies, future borrowing plans and long-term costs — can help borrowers make more measured, informed choices before the new rules...