The Department of Education’s rulemaking to redefine what qualifies as a “professional degree” continues to raise concerns across certain healthcare professions and the sector itself. As proposed, the Department’s definition would exclude many fields vital to aging services—such as advanced nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and physician assistant programs—from eligibility for higher federal loan limits. Put another way, the rule risks making advanced education less financially accessible to students seeking higher degrees in professions that aging services providers rely on.

Congress continues to take notice, and several lawmakers have introduced bills seeking to address the implications of this rulemaking, which is still ongoing. Most directly addressing the issue, Representative Lawler (R-NY) introduced H.R. 6718 to amend the Higher Education Act to codify and expand the definition of a professional degree, explicitly naming nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, and physician assistant programs as “professional degree” programs that qualify for the higher federal borrowing limits. Representative Harder (D‑CA) also has a related proposal. His bill, H.R. 6862, aims to delay until July 1, 2030, the implementation of new borrowing caps. Representatives Dingell (D-MI) (H.R. 6739), Kennedy (D-NY) (H.R. 6574), and Torres (D-NY) (H.R. 6677) have also contributed to the menu of legislative proposals related to the loan-limit reform.

The rulemaking itself is still underway, and the Department is expected to post its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for public comment at any time. LeadingAge will alert members when the comment window opens and will provide guidance on how to share feedback with federal regulators.