Milestone is hosting a webinar on March 12th, with guest speaker Dr. Tim Keenan, titled “How Concierge Medicine is Changing the Healthcare Landscape”. You can sign up for the webinar here.
On February 6, 2026, Dimensional Fund Advisors reached $1 trillion in global assets under management. As most clients know, our model stock portfolios are made up of Dimensional funds.
US Department of Education Student loan borrowing limits may be changing: The DOE has issued proposed rules to establish new, lower loan limits for graduate students and creating a distinct, higher-limit category for “professional students” for loans made on or after 7/1/2026. A key provision is the new definition of “professional student,” which includes only the following professions:
• Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
• Dentistry (D.D.S./D.M.D.)
• Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
• Chiropractic (D.C.)
• Law (J.D./L.L.B.)
• Medicine (M.D.)
• Optometry (O.D.)
• Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
• Podiatry (D.P.M.)
• Clinical Psychology (Psy.D. or Ph.D.)
• Theology (M.Div., M.H.L.)
This is critical as professional students can borrow up to $50,000 annually ($200,000 aggregate) from the DOE, while graduate students are capped at $20,500 annually ($100,000 aggregate). The DOE explicitly determined that business degrees, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), do not meet the new definition because they are not required for professional entry or licensure.
There is pending legislation to add accounting, nursing and other professions to this list. A final rule is expected by July 1, 2026.
It’s important to note that private loans can be used to fill this gap in lending.
Taxes and financial planning are complex, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. A financial advisor can help you stay informed about tax law changes, optimize your savings and investments, and avoid costly mistakes. If you need tailored guidance, our team is here to help. Talk to an advisor or call (603) 589-8010 to integrate tax planning into your comprehensive financial strategy.
Disclaimer:
This material is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not investment, tax, legal, or financial advice. It does not consider any individual’s investment objectives, strategies, tax situation, or time horizon, and it is not an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security. Financial aid rules, tax laws, and school policies change frequently and vary by institution; figures cited are as of October 2026. Investing in a 529 plan involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Before investing, review the plan’s offering documents for its investment objectives, risks, fees, and expenses, and consider whether your home state offers tax benefits only for its own plan. Please review your personal situation with your tax and/or financial advisor before acting.
Views expressed are subject to change based on market and other conditions. Any projections, market outlooks, estimates, or other forward-looking views are based on assumptions, are not indicative of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Information is obtained from third-party sources believed to be accurate, but Milestone makes no representation as to its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness and accepts no liability for decisions based on it. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal.
Milestone Financial Planning, LLC (“Milestone”) is a fee-only financial planning firm and registered investment advisor headquartered in Bedford, NH. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Milestone works with clients on an ongoing, long-term basis, providing financial planning, tax planning, retirement planning, and investment management services. Fees are based on assets under management and may include a financial planning fee. Milestone receives no commissions or referral fees and, as a fiduciary, is required to act in clients’ best interests. Advisory services are offered only where Milestone and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. More information, including fees and principal risks, is available in Milestone’s Form ADV Part 2A. For help with your investments or financial planning, contact one of our fee-only advisors.
