ASPPH expressed disappointment following the Department of Education’s release of the final Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) rule, which imposes stricter limits on federal graduate student borrowing and excludes public health from the definition of “professional degree programs.” The rule represents a significant shift in federal student aid policy and raises concerns about access to graduate education in critical health fields.

The rule caps federal graduate loans at $20,500 annually and $100,000 in total for most programs, following the elimination of the Grad PLUS loan program. It also limits higher borrowing eligibility to a narrow set of designated professional fields, leaving public health and several other health professions outside that classification.

ASPPH, as a steering committee member of the Advanced Professional Workforce Alliance (APWA), engaged throughout the rulemaking process and joined coalition partners in raising concerns. The final policy does not reflect stakeholder feedback or the realities of today’s workforce needs.

These changes are expected to create new financial barriers for students pursuing public health degrees, many of whom rely on federal loans. Excluding public health from the professional degree category may discourage prospective students and further constrain an already challenged workforce pipeline at a time of growing demand.

ASPPH will continue to work with partners and policymakers to advocate for equitable access to education and policies that support a strong and sustainable public health workforce.