On January 29, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education released a proposed rule that includes a new definition that, if enacted, would reclassify dozens of professional degree programs (including physical therapy) as “graduate degree programs” for the purposes of federal student loan borrowing limits.

Under this proposal, “graduate degree programs” would have an annual borrowing limit of $20,500 and a lifetime cap of $100,000. In contrast, programs designated as “professional degree programs” would continue to have a $50,000 annual limit and a $200,000 total cap. As a result, future physical therapy students would face significantly lower federal student loan limits. While APTA supports efforts to reduce the cost of education, this arbitrary proposal, contrary to congressional intent, would create new barriers for prospective students and negatively affect the health care workforce at a time of nationwide shortages.

The proposed rule has a 30-day comment period after which the Department will potentially enact a finalized rule. In the meantime, Congress has begun pushing back on the Department’s approach. Notably, H.R. 6718 and H.R. 6574 have been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure that professional degree programs, including physical therapy, remain classified as “professional degree programs” rather than being treated as “graduate degree programs.”

Please take a few minutes to send an email to your representative urging them to support these two pieces of legislation.