ASAHP was one of 28 organizations which joined a letter to the Department of Education’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee as it continues its work in Session 2 of negotiated rulemaking to implement the student financial aid provisions of Public Law 119–21, commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The OBBBA set new student loan caps for graduate students, with a higher cap for those pursuing a professional degree. ASAHP and the organizations recommend that the Department:

1. Classify all professions under CIP Code 51 — Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, and related codes as “professional degrees.”

2. Define “professional degree” as any degree leading to a professional credential required for entry into practice in that field.

3. Define “professional degree” based on accreditation, curriculum, and alignment with recognized health profession standards, not program length or credit hours.

4. Recognize the critical workforce impact of any exclusion of health professions degrees, which would disproportionately harm communities in rural and underserved areas.

The letter may be accessed here.