11/12/2025

PAs Called to Respond to Restrictive Student Loan Caps

 

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Last week, the U.S. Department of Education concluded its negotiated rulemaking session, where federal negotiators agreed to a definition of “professional program” that excludes PAs from eligibility for higher federal student loan borrowing. PA school is more expensive than the proposed cap, meaning that without access to sufficient federal loans, many students won’t have the means to complete their education. 

If finalized as currently written, this rule would take effect by July 2026, impacting future PA students’ ability to access the loans they need as soon as the next academic cycle.   

Here’s what you can do right away: 

• Sign and Share AAPA’s Petition: We are asking as many PAs, PA students, and aspiring PAs as possible to sign AAPA's petition to the Department of Education urging them to revise this proposal. We need a strong showing of public outcry for change, so please share the petition and letter with colleagues, PA students, and aspiring PAs in your networks and encourage them to sign, too.

• Share Your Personal Experience: AAPA is also collecting personal stories from those willing to share why student loans were essential to their education and what it would mean if future students could not access the funds needed to cover their training. Your voices and stories will help AAPA put a human face on this issue and show the Department what’s truly at stake for the country's workforce and the patients PAs serve. 

AAPA is actively monitoring the situation as it develops and exploring all possible avenues available to ensure PA programs are recognized as professional degrees, and that future PAs can access the education they need to serve their communities.