ASPPH Statement on the RISE Final Rule on Federal Student Loan Limits

ASPPH Statement on the RISE Final Rule on Federal Student Loan Limits

May 4, 2026

(Washington, DC)- The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) expresses its disappointment in the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) final rule under the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) initiative, which imposes stricter limits on federal graduate student borrowing and narrows the definition of "professional degree programs" in a manner that excludes public health.

The final rule caps federal graduate student loans at $20,500 annually and $100,000 in total for most programs, following the elimination of the Grad PLUS loan program. It also restricts higher borrowing eligibility to a limited set of designated professional fields, leaving public health and several other essential health professions outside that classification. ASPPH, as a steering committee member of the Advanced Professional Workforce Alliance (APWA), joined coalition partners in providing feedback throughout the rulemaking process and is concerned that the final policy does not reflect stakeholder input or current workforce needs.

As noted by the coalition in recent coverage by Inside Higher Ed, this definition will result in fewer students being able to pursue careers across critical fields, including public health and health administration, mental health counseling, and other health professions, while overlooking the significant contributions these disciplines make to society and the economy.

ASPPH is particularly concerned that the rule will create new financial barriers for students pursuing public health degrees, many of whom rely on federal loans to finance their education. Excluding public health from the professional degree category may discourage prospective students and limit access to essential funding, further constraining an already challenged public health workforce pipeline at a time of growing demand.

"As our nation continues to face pressing public health challenges, from measles outbreaks to rising rates of obesity and drug overdose, we need more individuals entering the public health workforce, not fewer," said Laura Magaña, PhD, MS, President and CEO of ASPPH. "This policy risks undermining our collective ability to protect and improve the health of communities across the country."

ASPPH will continue working with federal partners, coalition members, and legal counsel to advocate for policies that support equitable access to education and strengthen the development of a sustainable public health workforce.

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