Midwestern University-Downers Grove
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $81,228 |
| Tuition & Fees | $54,228 |
| Living Expenses | $27,000 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $60,728 |
Cover Your $60,728 Gap
Midwestern University-Downers Grove Occupational Therapy students typically need $60,728 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Very large gap — requires careful evaluation
A $60,728/year gap means $182,184 in additional funding needed beyond federal loans over the full 3-year program. This is among the largest gaps nationally. Carefully evaluate the return on investment before committing.
- Calculate your expected debt-to-income ratio using projected starting salaries
- Explore income-driven repayment options for the federal loan portion
- Request a meeting with the financial aid office to discuss all available institutional support
- Compare total cost with peer programs — the same degree may cost significantly less elsewhere
- Consider whether employer tuition assistance or military benefits apply to your situation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Midwestern University-Downers Grove Occupational Therapy students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Midwestern University-Downers Grove Occupational Therapy students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Midwestern University-Downers Grove?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does Midwestern University-Downers Grove Occupational Therapy cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Midwestern University-Downers Grove Occupational Therapy is $81,228 per year. Over the full 3-year program, the total cost is $243,684.
What is the funding gap for Midwestern University-Downers Grove Occupational Therapy?
The annual funding gap is $60,728, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($81,228) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 3-year program, the total gap is $182,184. This is above the national median of $34,522 for Occupational Therapy programs.
Is Midwestern University-Downers Grove Occupational Therapy classified as graduate or professional?
Midwestern University-Downers Grove Occupational Therapy (OTD) is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
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Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Midwestern University-Downers Grove’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 143853.
- Program classification: OTD is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A student at Midwestern University-Downers Grove Occupational Therapy faces an annual funding gap of $60,728 based on a cost of attendance of $81,228 minus the federal graduate loan cap of $20,500. Over 3 years, the total funding gap is $182,184. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.