What the RISE Committee’s Consensus Means

Why it matters:

The Department of Education’s RISE Committee reached full consensus on major components of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” giving institutions and students early clarity on coming federal aid changes.

Loan amounts will scale with enrollment

Students attending less than full-time will receive loan disbursements prorated to the number of credits they’re enrolled in.

Clearer rules for “professional degree” loan limits

The committee adopted a four-part test to determine which programs qualify as “professional” (meaning they’re eligible for higher annual and aggregate loan caps).

Repayment gets a smoother on-ramp

Past IDR payments will count toward forgiveness under the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). RAP payments will also count toward legacy IDR plans during the transition so borrowers won’t lose credit for any qualifying payments.

What’s next

The Department is expected to release the NPRM in early 2026. The AHEAD Committee begins its work soon, shaping the next wave of regulatory changes.

Bottom line:

This consensus brings to life the major provisions outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Now institutions must prepare to update systems, advising, and communications to support students through the transition.