Protect Graduate Students: Reform the OBBBA to Keep Education Accessible
The Issue
Graduate students across the United States are facing new and unexpected barriers because of changes introduced under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). These changes eliminate the Grad PLUS loan program for new borrowers, cap federal borrowing far below the actual cost of graduate school, and limit repayment options that working adults rely on.
For many students — especially parents, first‑generation students, low‑income students, and working professionals — these changes create financial gaps of $10,000–$40,000 per year. Without access to adequate federal aid, countless students will be forced to delay or abandon their education entirely.
This is not just a financial issue. It is a human rights issue. Access to education is a pathway to stability, economic mobility, and community well‑being. Restricting access harms not only students, but also the communities that depend on them.
Ohio and the nation are already facing severe shortages of social workers, mental health providers, nurses, educators, and other essential professionals. Policies that make graduate education less accessible will deepen these shortages and weaken our workforce.
We, the undersigned, call on federal policymakers to:
1. Restore or replace Grad PLUS loans with a graduate‑level aid option that covers the full cost of attendance.
2. Protect affordable income‑driven repayment plans, especially for students entering public service careers.
3. Ensure nontraditional students — including working adults and parents — are not disproportionately harmed by borrowing caps and proration rules.
4. Engage with universities, students, and professional organizations to revise the OBBBA in a way that supports, rather than restricts, access to education.
5. Conduct a full equity and workforce impact review before implementing changes that could limit access to essential professions.
Graduate education should not become a privilege reserved only for those who can pay out of pocket. We urge federal leaders to revise the OBBBA to ensure that all students — regardless of income, background, or family responsibilities — can pursue graduate education without facing insurmountable financial barriers.
Sign this petition to protect access to education and support the future of our workforce.
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The Issue
Graduate students across the United States are facing new and unexpected barriers because of changes introduced under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). These changes eliminate the Grad PLUS loan program for new borrowers, cap federal borrowing far below the actual cost of graduate school, and limit repayment options that working adults rely on.
For many students — especially parents, first‑generation students, low‑income students, and working professionals — these changes create financial gaps of $10,000–$40,000 per year. Without access to adequate federal aid, countless students will be forced to delay or abandon their education entirely.
This is not just a financial issue. It is a human rights issue. Access to education is a pathway to stability, economic mobility, and community well‑being. Restricting access harms not only students, but also the communities that depend on them.
Ohio and the nation are already facing severe shortages of social workers, mental health providers, nurses, educators, and other essential professionals. Policies that make graduate education less accessible will deepen these shortages and weaken our workforce.
We, the undersigned, call on federal policymakers to:
1. Restore or replace Grad PLUS loans with a graduate‑level aid option that covers the full cost of attendance.
2. Protect affordable income‑driven repayment plans, especially for students entering public service careers.
3. Ensure nontraditional students — including working adults and parents — are not disproportionately harmed by borrowing caps and proration rules.
4. Engage with universities, students, and professional organizations to revise the OBBBA in a way that supports, rather than restricts, access to education.
5. Conduct a full equity and workforce impact review before implementing changes that could limit access to essential professions.
Graduate education should not become a privilege reserved only for those who can pay out of pocket. We urge federal leaders to revise the OBBBA to ensure that all students — regardless of income, background, or family responsibilities — can pursue graduate education without facing insurmountable financial barriers.
Sign this petition to protect access to education and support the future of our workforce.
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Petition created on June 13, 2026