Experts: Cuts to federal student loans could hurt first generation students, healthcare industry

Students taking out loans or tapping into aid for college or graduate school will see major changes starting July 1.It’s a result of major changes to social safety net programs, including the federal financial aid system, in the 2026 “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”Rachel Sherlock is the associate director of financial aid at Minnesota State University Mankato and she joined MPR News host Nina Moini to sort through the changes, like what students should know about new borrowing limits and what repayment options will look like going forward. Chris Rubesch, president of the Minnesota Nurses Association, also joined host Nina Moini to talk about why he thinks these changes to the financial aid system could have a negative impact on the health care sector.