On April 30, the U.S. Department of Education issued a final rule that excludes PA programs from the definition of “professional degrees”. As a result, PA students will be limited to $20,500 in federal student loans per year. If PA programs were included in the professional degree category, students could borrow up to $50,000 annually
This decision follows months of negotiated rulemaking aimed at distinguishing between professional and graduate degree programs. Throughout this process, the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) has actively opposed the change.
Unless the rule is reversed, starting July 1, PA students will face a $20,500 annual loan cap—an amount that does not cover tuition alone—while students in recognized professional degree programs can access up to $50,000 per year.
How this Rule Will Be Challenged
In response, The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), the PA Education Association (PAEA), and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) have announced plans to challenge the rule in federal court under the Administrative Procedure Act. Their goal is to overturn the rule and restore the original definition of “professional student” as Congress intended. They argue that the Department of Education’s decision conflicts with the law, since both PA and nurse practitioner (NP) programs meet the statutory definition.
What You Can Do Right Now
The AAPA continues to support “HR 6718, The Professional Student Degree Act,” which would codify into law the definition of “professional degree” previously in regulation, which includes PAs. In light of the final rule, you must contact your Member of Congress and ask them to cosponsor this legislation.