Big changes coming for student loan system starting July 1

[nitpicked]

https://wtop.com/education/2026/06/student-loan-overhaul-caps-borrowing-and-replaces-repayment-plans/

Big changes coming next month will impact how much money people can borrow for college — and how they pay it back.
(snip)

Under the new limits, parent borrowers are capped at $20,000 per year and $65,000 in total. Graduate school loans are capped at $20,500 a year and $100,000 total, while professional programs like law and medical school can go up to $50,000 a year and $200,000 total, which could leave a gap between tuition costs and available loans.
(snip)

That new option, known as the Repayment Assistance Plan, ties payments to income. (snip) Another new option is a Tiered Standard repayment plan, which, according to the Department of Education, will offer fixed monthly payments based on the borrower’s outstanding principal balance.
(snip)

He says the key is to know what you have now before the rules change. “If you have been borrowing and you want to be subject to the old rules, you may not want to tap new programs and things, because you’ll automatically be put into the new program if you borrow new money,” he said.

[marble falls]

1. I know: Raise prices for tuition AND the interest on loans! ...

... nothing like giving a house mortgage (without the house) to graduates when they leave school.

The colleges and universities, the lenders and REITs are in cahoots.

[harumph]

2. In some cases the solution will be to get a professional degree from a non US university.

Even paying international student fees, you're probably better off. Then if you get a health care degree of some sort, get a work visa and say "fuck ya later."

[marble falls]

3. Germany offers free collage tuition to US students, as do a number of other nations.

[SSJVegeta]

4. ..?

...are you sure??

[Manatee]

6. It's

true!

[marble falls]

8. Would I lie to you on a site of avid fact checkers????

[SSJVegeta]

13. Point taken!

Also I googled it. Thats crazy!

The unfortunate part is that their public schools don't have accessible online programs (

[marble falls]

11. Heres some information for you ...

https://www.uniplaces.com/city-explorer/tuition-free-education-in-germany-your-ultimate-guide-for-2025/



Understanding Tuition-Free Education in Germany

Germany’s tuition-free education system stands as a beacon of accessible higher education worldwide. Public universities in Germany offer Studiengebührenfrei (tuition-free) education to both domestic and international students, with only a small semester contribution fee ranging from €50 to €300.

The German government funds public universities through tax revenues, reflecting their commitment to education as a public good. This investment ensures:

High-quality educational facilities
Well-maintained research laboratories
Competitive faculty salaries
Student support services
Campus infrastructure development

Fee Structure Breakdown
EU Students

No tuition fees
Semester contribution fee (€50-€300)
Health insurance requirement

Non-EU Students

No tuition fees (except Baden-Württemberg)
Semester contribution fee (€50-€300)
Health insurance requirement
Baden-Württemberg special case: €1,500 per semester

The semester contribution fee covers:

Student union services
Public transportation passes
Administrative costs
Campus facilities maintenance

This unique funding model creates a diverse academic environment where students focus on their studies without the burden of substantial tuition fees. German universities maintain high academic standards through rigorous admission requirements and comprehensive quality assurance systems.

-snip-

https://studygermany.net/free-of-cost-study-in-germany/

-snip-

scholarships and living expenses.
Why Choose Free of Cost Study in Germany?

Germany’s education system is built on the principle that knowledge should be accessible to everyone, regardless of financial background. Here’s why free of cost study in Germany attracts so many students from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and other countries:

No Tuition Fees at Public Universities:
In Germany, the majority of public universities offer education completely free of tuition charges, even for students coming from abroad. International students can pursue undergraduate or postgraduate programs without paying hefty tuition fees — only a small semester contribution is required to cover administrative and student service costs. You only need to pay a small semester contribution (around €200–€350), which covers administrative costs and student services.
World-Class Education:
Germany is home to some of the top-ranked universities like the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Heidelberg University, and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). These institutions are recognized globally for their research and academic excellence.
English-Taught Programs:
Many universities offer full degree programs in English, making it easy for international students to enjoy free of cost study in Germany without having to learn German initially.
Strong Job Market:
After completing your studies, you can stay in Germany for up to 18 months to look for a job — a huge benefit for career-minded students.

How Is It Possible to Study in Germany Free of Cost?

You might wonder, how can a developed country like Germany offer education for free? The answer lies in its government’s strong commitment to education. In 2014, Germany abolished tuition fees for both domestic and international students at public universities. The government believes that education should not be treated as a privilege but as a fundamental right.

Today, more than 300 public universities provide free of cost study in Germany opportunities in fields like engineering, business, medicine, and arts. The only costs students need to manage are living expenses and semester contributions.
Top Universities for Free of Cost Study in Germany

If you’re planning to take advantage of free of cost study in Germany, here are some of the most popular public universities offering tuition-free education:

Technical University of Munich (TUM): Famous for engineering, computer science, and management studies.
Heidelberg University: One of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe, known for medicine and natural sciences.
Humboldt University of Berlin: Ideal for humanities, arts, and social sciences.
RWTH Aachen University: Germany’s leading institution for technology and engineering.
University of Stuttgart: Offers top programs in architecture, mechanical engineering, and renewable energy.
Free University of Berlin: Perfect for international relations, law, and cultural studies.

These universities offer hundreds of bachelor’s and master’s programs that qualify for free of cost study in Germany for international students.

[DFW]

5. I'm glad my children and nephews are done with all that.

My four grandchildren are all citizens of Germany (and the USA), so their options are somewhat broader. There is still the issue of German universities denying entry to students with a “too low” GPA, which is different for every subject, and they are not ”free,” despite some PC propaganda you might hear in the States.

On the other hand, my two “German” (-based) granddaughters have parents that have been so wildly successful that they could afford the University of the Moon, including room, board, and four trips home on a yearly basis. My USA-based daughter has made no such fortune, but her sister is very sharing, and if I should ever live to see her sons enter college (check back with me in a week on that), I should be able contribute toward that as well.

At least, even though college in the USA seems to be spiraling out of reach of many normal mortals, my younger daughter and her man are very extraordinary mortals. I can only hope that their ability to pay full tuition—if their daughters even want to attend college in the USA, that is—will result in scholarships for some some other students who are brilliant, dedicated and broke.

[MichMan]

7. Shouldn't be lending people money that they can't pay back.

IMO, one of the drivers of escalating tuition costs has been the willingness of students to borrow more and more to cover it. If that money is no longer available and enrollment decreases, tuition should start coming down.

[marble falls]

10. And we can start shutting down schools because earning minimum wage and supporting oneself while handing over ...

... $30,000 and more a year checks to collages is a fat joke..

When LBJ started the student loan program under the National Defense Act - it was to get people educated for the national good. I paid less than #3,000 a year for school. Than the banks got interested and the schools raised their prices so the banks could make more profitable loans.

[MichMan]

12. Student loans have been issued by the federal government for 15 years, not banks

[W_HAMILTON]

14. Yes, we should treat higher education today like we did high school decades ago.

A high school education is no longer the path to a middle class life like it was decades ago.

We should allow students to continue their education after high school without drowning in tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt.

[Johnny2X2X]

9. There's changes to what is considered full time too for grad students

A lot of grad students take classes at night while they work full time. Night classes are usually 3 credit hours 1 day a week each. It was 6 hours to be considered full time for grad school before now, now it will be 9. Won't effect a lot of students, but will absolutely be a disaster for some students who maybe work full time and have families.

And these lifetime limits are bad news too. Some of our most successful professionals that go to good schools need a lot of student loans to graduate.

This will mean less people graduating college. And people can talk all they want about massive student debt, but it's totally worth it for a lot of borrowers.

And they screwed people on their repayment options too, it's unreal how much high payments are going to be for many borrowers. double and triple the monthly payments.