You take care of patients every day. But right now, patient care (and future clinicians) need you.

A federal rule is being proposed that could limit student loan access for future clinicians.

If it moves forward unchanged, fewer students may be able to afford training → fewer providers enter the workforce → access to care gets worse, especially in underserved communities.

Here’s the deal: This is one of those rare moments when your voice can still shape the outcome. This rule is proposed at this time, not a law, not enacted. 

The Proposed Student Loan Rule

1. New Federal Student Loan Caps

Higher borrowing limits only apply to degrees classified as “professional.” PAs would not qualify → lower caps + no Grad PLUS → harder to afford training.

2. Repayment Plan Overhaul

Current income-driven plans would be replaced with two options: fixed tiered plan & a new income-based plan

3. Narrower Definition of “Professional Degree”

DOE list of Professional Degree includes MD, DO, DDS, JD, etc. (11 professions only) and it excludes PAs, NPs, PT, OT, SLP, and many other health professions.

This definition determines who gets access to those higher loan limits.

4. Deferment + Default Changes

Removes some deferment options (like hardship/unemployment) but allows two chances to rehab defaulted loans.

If you are pissed off that PAs aren’t considered professionals under the proposed changes, here’s the plan: 

1. Submit a public comment (before March 2, 2026)

Share your experience with federal loans, how limits could affect your profession or patients, and what change you want made!

When it comes to comments, short + specific beats long + vague.

AAPA has a great resource for how to format these comments, linked here. 

American Academy of Physician Associates also has a landing page for this issue specifically. Check it out here.

2. Mobilize your circle

Forward this email. Mention it at work. Help a colleague submit a comment. Listen to episode 363 of The PA Is In Podcast. Send the iTunes or Spotify link to a colleague. 

Heck, have your Mom and Dad submit a comment, they need something to do today! 

Have a PA student in the office? Ask them to submit a comment! 

Recently go skiing with a new friend who happens to be a PT? Ask them to help, too! 

This isn’t just a student loan issue — it’s a workforce issue. 

It’s a patient access problem. 

When PAs can’t access student loans, patients can’t access care! 

3. Contact your legislators

Tell them if this could impact healthcare access in your community and ask where they stand. Use the resource www.5Calls.org to determine who and how to call! 

What’s at stake

If borrowing limits shrink or eligibility changes for health professions, we risk:

• fewer graduates • deeper shortages • reduced access to care

You’re not “just” a clinician.

You’re someone who sees the real-world outcomes of policy decisions.

 Use that voice while this comment window is open.

→ Submit your comment today

→ Share this with one colleague

→ Speak up before March 2

 Because silence is still counted — just not in our favor!