11/27/2025
“Big changes from the DOE are raising big concerns. ⚠️
The Department of Education announced intentions to reclassify certain degrees as non-professional. This could limit student loan access for many borrowers and significantly impact access to these professions for lower-income students.
Higher loan limits are critical for many of the fields now being reclassified. Take this example for physical therapy:
Graduate Education - (DPT wrongly classified in this), Annual Financial Aid Cap $20,000 and lifetime cap: $100,000
Professional Education - (DPT correct classification) Annual Financial Aid Cap $50,000 and lifetime cap: $200,000)
Current average total cost of a DPT program (2024 CAPTE data): $118,000–$145,000
Average federal loan reliance among DPT students: 72%
Even the most affordable DPT programs exceed the $100,000 lifetime cap
On top of tuition, for many of these programs, students are not able to work during their time in school and rely on additional loans for cost of living.
This will only perpetuate the current healthcare shortages we are facing.
Help us take action now!
