Earlier this week, ASPPH joined a lawsuit with sister organizations opposing the Department of Education’s recently finalized RISE rule. The rule narrows the definition of “professional degrees”, limiting federal student loan access for students pursuing public health degrees and other health professions degrees. The lawsuit argues that the rule arbitrarily excludes the Master of Public Health (MPH), Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), and related degrees from the federal definition of “professional degree” programs, despite their longstanding role in preparing graduates for professional practice. ASPPH has also released an accompanying statement outlining concerns about the rule’s potential impact on students, institutions, and the future public health workforce.
According to the declaration submitted by ASPPH President and CEO Laura Magaña, the organization contends that the rule creates significant barriers to public health education at a time when the nation continues to face major workforce shortages across public health systems. The filing emphasizes that MPH and DrPH programs provide advanced professional training essential for careers in governmental public health, health systems, community organizations, research institutions, and emergency response.
The Department of Education’s final rule narrows the definition of “professional degree” programs for purposes of federal student loan eligibility, limiting higher borrowing thresholds to a small group of designated professional fields while excluding public health programs. ASPPH argues that the change conflicts with longstanding federal definitions and would significantly reduce access to graduate public health education, particularly for students from underserved and underrepresented communities.
ASPPH’s legal action comes alongside a separate lawsuit filed by 25 states and the District of Columbia challenging the same federal borrowing limits established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The lawsuit similarly argues that the new caps could worsen workforce shortages and create additional barriers for students pursuing careers in health-related professions.
The declaration further states that limiting access to federal financial aid would harm schools and programs of public health, weaken enrollment pipelines, and undermine efforts to strengthen the nation’s public health workforce and preparedness capacity.