The Education Department moved a regulatory step closer to finalizing new loan‑limit rules and repayment frameworks that will take effect July 1, while advocates and higher‑ed groups prepare legal and legislative pushback. Officials said the rule aims to recalibrate borrower protections and streaming repayment options after the rollback of prior income‑driven plans, but warned significant opposition from Congress and sector groups is likely in coming weeks. Coverage explaining the new landscape urged borrowers and administrators to track deadlines and plan for shifts in forgiveness eligibility, employer‑based repayment counts and monthly obligation calculations. The department’s rulemaking dovetails with broader changes to federal repayment programs and a phased replacement of generous pandemic-era provisions. Higher‑education counsel recommended institutions update financial‑aid counseling, disclosure materials and onboarding for incoming students. Borrowers were advised to consult institutional financial‑aid offices about transitional options; consumer advocates asked for clearer timelines and stronger protections for vulnerable borrowers during the phase‑in period.