Ol' College Try Big Beautiful Bill, Big Changes: What the New Higher Ed Reform Means for College-Bound Families
The big, beautiful bill has passed—and it's bringing some of the biggest changes to higher education policy in years. In this episode, Matt and Peg break down what this means specifically for college-bound families.
They tackle the most important updates taking effect July 1, 2026, including:
📆 Timing: Who’s affected and when the changes kick in
💸 Pell Grant: What stayed the same and new usage rules
🚫 Parent PLUS Loan Cap: A new $65,000 lifetime limit—and why that might be a good thing
🧾 Simplified Loan Repayment: Two streamlined options, including the new “RAP” plan
🎓 529 Plan Flexibility: Expanded use for K–12 and workforce training
🏛️ College Accountability & Endowment Tax: How schools may feel the pressure to perform
Matt and Peg offer real talk and practical insights for families navigating the college planning process—plus a dose of optimism as they look ahead to a potentially more equitable and transparent system.
Don’t miss next week’s episode, where Peg sits down with CAP College Admissions Expert Dan “Lasso” Bisig to unpack the Common App before it officially goes live on August 1!