The U.S. Department of Education has announced a proposed rule that would redefine which graduate students qualify for higher federal graduate student loan limits as “professional students.” As currently drafted, the rule excludes all master’s level mental health professionals – including MFTs – from eligibility for these higher loan limits.

As a result, new students in these programs would be limited to accessing only $20,500 in federal loans per year, rather than the $50,000 available to students pursuing “professional degrees” such as an M.D. or Psy.D. The elimination of new Grad PLUS loans for incoming students beginning July 1, 2026, further restricts access, making graduate education financially unattainable for many, particularly first-generation students, those from underrepresented communities, and those pursuing careers in public and community-based care.

If finalized as currently proposed, this rule will:

• Discourage students from entering the MFT profession.
• Exacerbate mental health workforce shortages.
• Increase student loan debt burdens through reliance on expensive private student loans.
• Undermine access to care in already underserved communities.

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