Poll: Voters Generally Support Limiting Grad School Borrowing

"When given two stances on grad loan caps and asked to pick one, 57 percent agreed with the position that 'there should be a cap ... because having access to unlimited loans inflates tuition, since graduate schools are free to raise prices if they know students will just borrow more to pay.'"

"Starting July 1, the legislation will cap federal loans for students in 'professional' programs at up to $50,000 per year and $200,000 total. Grad students in nonprofessional programs will only be able to borrow up to $20,500 per year, or a total of $100,000."

"After receiving the explanation, 28 percent of respondents said they strongly supported this test and 38 percent said they somewhat supported it. Only 19 percent said they somewhat or strongly opposed it, and 15 percent said they didn't know enough to say."

A poll by Third Way, Global Strategy Group, and GS Strategy Group reveals strong voter support for higher education provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law last summer. Fifty-seven percent of voters favor capping federal graduate loans, citing concerns that unlimited borrowing inflates tuition costs. The legislation caps professional program loans at $50,000 annually and $200,000 total, while nonprofessional graduate programs face $20,500 annual and $100,000 total limits, effective July 1. Additionally, 66 percent of respondents support the Do No Harm earnings test, which requires graduate and professional programs to demonstrate their graduates earn more than high school diploma holders and bachelor's degree recipients, or face federal loan eligibility restrictions.

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