Through a proposed rule from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), the US Department of Education narrowed the definition of “professional degree” for the purposes of determining federal student loan amounts and “driving down graduate program costs and student loan debt.” This reclassification, expected to take effect July 1, 2026, excludes many graduate programs previously recognized as “professional” and authorized for a higher borrowing limit. Excluded fields include PAs, other advanced practice providers, physical therapists, social workers, and more.

By reclassifying these fields, federal loan borrowing limits for these students move from the original higher amounts (up to $200,000) to much lower limits (up to $100,000).

Impact

The proposed loan limits fall well below the actual cost of completing PA school. Furthermore, PA students complete intensive full-time coursework, participate in year-long supervised clinical training, and must meet stringent competencies tied directly to state licensure and national certification. These demands prevent outside employment, further straining a potential PA’s ability to finance their education.

With costs to attend PA school becoming prohibitive, fewer individuals will be able to pursue the profession, widening the already existing healthcare access gap in California. The reclassification could have a significant adverse impact on healthcare, and specifically, PA workforce stability.

Public Comment Open

The Department of Education is required to publish the negotiated, agreed-upon language in their proposed rule and will review public comments before finalizing it. The public comment period is now open. All public comments are due by March 2, 2026.

What PAs Can Do

Alongside PAEA and AAPA, CAPA urges PAs, PA students, and pre-PAs to submit comments urging the Department of Education to reconsider their proposed ruling and protect access to loans that are necessary to complete PA education and training. There are several ways in which PAs may participate in this advocacy.

• Submit comments to the Federal Register via:
  • Phone (202) 741-6000
  • Email fedreg.info@nara.gov
  • Physical mail: Office of the Federal Register
    The National Archives and Records Administration
    8601 Adelphi Road College Park, MD 20740-6001
• Sign the AAPA petition. If you have not already joined the over 41,000 PAs, PA students, pre-PAs and PA supporters who have signed the petition urging Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to revise the proposed ruling, now is the time.
• Submit comments to Regulations.gov.
• Join PAEA’s grassroots campaign where advocates can submit templated direct comment and include their own personalized story around this issue.
• Share your story with AAPA. To date, AAPA has received nearly 2,000 personal powerful accounts, which they will share directly with the Department of Education in their ongoing advocacy.

CAPA encourages PAs from all stages of practice to join in this fight. Together, we are protecting the future of this profession and preventing the ever-widening gaps in healthcare access for all patients.