PAEA Statement on Department of Education Action to Restrict Professional Student Loan Access
The decision of the Department of Education’s RISE committee to exclude PA and other key health professions from its proposed regulatory text for implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act contradicts the clear criteria in H.R. 1 for defining a “professional program.” PA programs fully and unequivocally meet all three requirements set forth in the law: they prepare students to complete the academic requirements for professional practice, they provide education and training beyond the level of a bachelor’s degree, and they lead directly to professional licensure. Excluding PA programs despite meeting these standards undermines both congressional intent and the nation’s health workforce needs.
“As the demand for healthcare continues to accelerate, it is essential that federal policy recognize the nature and rigor of PA education,” said PAEA CEO Sara Fletcher, PhD. “PA programs are accredited graduate-level professional programs designed explicitly to meet the academic requirements necessary for clinical practice. They require mastery of advanced medical science and clinical skills far beyond the bachelor’s level, and every PA graduate must successfully obtain professional licensure to enter the workforce. These facts align squarely with the criteria Congress established for professional student eligibility.”
The proposed loan limits for new borrowers after July 1, 2026, fall well below the actual cost of completing these required academic and clinical experiences. This change would place an undue burden on students in programs that Congress clearly intended to classify as professional. PA students complete intensive full-time coursework, participate in year-long supervised clinical training, and must meet stringent competencies tied directly to state licensure and national certification. These demands prevent outside employment and require reliable access to sufficient federal financial aid.
The PA Education Association (PAEA) urges the Department of Education to revise its proposal before the final rule is released to align with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s clear criteria and to ensure that PA students are treated as the professional students the law defines them to be. PAEA will pursue every available avenue to protect students’ ability to finance their education and to maintain the strength and accessibility of PA programs nationwide.
