Alsobrooks Introduces Bill to Repeal OBBBA Provision and Restore Federal Loan Availability for Graduate and Professional Students

March 10, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC - As reported in Politico's Morning Education, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) introduced the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act, which reverses recent reductions in federal loan availability for graduate and professional students. The bill would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to restore the full loan limits that were narrowed under President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, ensuring students pursuing advanced degrees can access the financial support they need. This bill expands access to advanced education for those seeking to pursue careers in nursing, teaching, social work, medicine, and more.

The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act is co-sponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Duckworth (D-Ill.), Wyden (D-Ore.), Kim (D-N.J.), Cantwell (D-Wash.), Smith (D-Minn.), and Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.-15) introduced this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Maryland needs more nurses, teachers, and social workers - and it shouldn't be the case that you have to be rich to pursue one of these professions. That's why I am proud, and why it is so necessary, that I introduce the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act - to restore federal loans for students looking to better themselves and our communities by pursuing graduate and professional degrees," said Senator Alsobrooks.

"Graduate and professional students deserve a fair chance to pursue their careers without being priced out by sudden reductions in federal aid," said Rep. Ritchie Torres. "Investing in advanced education strengthens our workforce, our economy, and the future of fields that communities rely on. I'm proud to partner with Sen. Alsobrooks to restore a critical tool for students striving to serve in high-demand professions."

"At the same time that our country is facing workforce shortages in fields like medicine and teaching, the Trump Administration and Republicans have slashed access to federal student loans for a range of needed professions. These actions have put important professional careers out of reach for more Americans. Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue a secondary education and that starts with undoing these backward policies and preserving lending options that offer students of all backgrounds the ability to launch fulfilling careers in these fields," said Senator Van Hollen.

"Buried in the Republicans' Big Ugly Bill was a provision to make it harder for students to pursue careers in industries that are in desperate need of expanded workforces, like social workers, nurses and educators. This legislation takes a much-needed step to ensure students pursuing their dream of entering the care workforce can do so without being hit with an even greater financial burden, and secure the next generation of providers for Americans that rely on them," said Senator Wyden.

"Donald Trump's Big Disastrous Bill made it harder for students looking to give back to our communities in critical healthcare and education fields by making their education less affordable. Let's right this wrong and support our country's success by uplifting people of all financial backgrounds' talent and continued growth," said Senator Kim.

"Sen. Alsobrooks' bill to restore the Grad PLUS loan program is a critical step toward ensuring that aspiring physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, dentists, lawyers, and educators can finance the full cost of their training without being pushed toward high-cost private loans. At the University of Maryland, Baltimore, we see every day how removing financial barriers allows talented students - and tomorrow's leaders - to pursue careers in essential fields in public health, medicine, law, and human services. As communities across the U.S. grapple with serious shortages in health care and other service professions, we must expand - not restrict - access to graduate and professional education. Sen. Alsobrooks' legislation will help ensure students are never forced to abandon their studies because affordable financing is out of reach," said Bruce E. Jarrell, M.D., FACS, President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Endorsing Organizations include: American Federation of Teachers, Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions, Oncology Nursing Society, American Institute of Architects, American Institute of Architecture Students, American Society of Landscape Architects, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, National Architectural Accrediting Board, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, National Organization of Minority Architects, American Occupational Therapy Association, Clinical Social Work Association, American Federation of School Administrators, Commission on Independent Colleges & Universities, Joint National Committee for Languages, National Council for Languages and International Studies, National Education Association, National Association of Social Workers, AFSCME, Fordham University, University of Saint Vincent, Columbia University, and University of Maryland, Baltimore.

The full bill text is available here.

###