Following a federal court order staying its narrower definition, the Department of Education expanded its list of "professional degrees" eligible for H.R.1's higher $50,000 annual graduate loan limit from 11 to 29 programs. The revised list adds advanced nursing, physician assistants, and occupational therapy degrees, but excludes master's degrees in social work, marriage and family therapy, and other behavioral health professions. Students in excluded programs remain capped at $20,500 annually, and further relief is uncertain. The Department of Education has stated it intends to appeal.
AAPP worked with the Mental Health Liaison Group in sending a letter advocating for the broader inclusion of additional behavioral health professions in the list with higher loan limits, and will continue advocating for this cause as the process continues to play out.