On May 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education finalized its student loan rule, which sets new borrowing limits and narrows which programs qualify as “professional degrees.”
The Alliance to Strengthen America’s Health Workforce for the Underserved and our members are disappointed to see the Department adopt such a narrow definition. Capping access to federal aid will have an outsized impact on rural and underserved communities, particularly in fields where students often return home to serve as health care providers, educators, and support
professionals.
At a time when workforce shortages are growing, this rule puts an already fragile pipeline further in jeopardy.
For more information see Alliance member comments:
Advocates for Community Health
Association of Clinicians for the Underserved
National Association of Rural Health Clinics
National Rural Health Association
National Association of Community Health Centers
American Academy of Physician Associates
American Association of Nurse Practitoners
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
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