Protect Federal Student Loans for PT Students

February 2026
The U.S. Department of Education released a proposed rule yesterday regarding the reclassification of some professional degree programs, including physical therapy, as "graduate" degree programs. If physical therapy is classified from a professional degree program to a graduate degree program, students would only be eligible to borrow up to $100,000, vs. the $200,000 allowed for other health care professions.

Three ways you may help:
  1. Contact Your Legislator - Ask your legislators to support legislation in the House of Representatives that would ensure physical therapy degrees remain classified as professional degree.
  2. Comment on the Rule - Explain why the proposed rule would be detrimental to physical therapy education during the public comment period open now through 2026. March 2,
  3. Finally, share this email with your students, colleagues and anyone else who would be affected by the rule and ask them to contact their legislators and/or comment on the rule.
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