ASLA Submits Comments Opposing Proposed Federal Student Loan Caps

ASLA urges DOE to recognize landscape architecture as a professional degree and warns loan caps could limit future workforce.

On March 2, ASLA submitted public comments to the U.S. Department of Education on a proposed rule that would cap federal student loans for most graduate students at $20,500 while allowing students in a limited set of designated "professional degree" programs to borrow up to $50,000 annually. The rulemaking has generated significant public interest, with the Department receiving more than 75,000 comments.

In its comments, ASLA emphasized that landscape architecture is a professional degree and urged the Department to adopt a criteria-based definition of "professional degree" that recognizes accredited programs leading to licensure in professions responsible for protecting public health, safety, and welfare. ASLA also warned that restricting access to federal graduate loans could weaken the pipeline of professionals needed to design and manage the nation's infrastructure. With more than half of accredited landscape architecture programs offered at the graduate level and many students relying on federal loans, limiting access to financing could reduce opportunities for students entering the profession.

ASLA continues to work with Congress to pass legislation that would maintain current student loan borrowing policies - cost-of-attendance borrowing structure - that allow all students the same access to federal funding sources. The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act (H.R. 6677), introduced by Representative Ritchie Torres (NY), would restore federal student loan access for students pursuing graduate degrees, allowing landscape architecture students and their families to make student loan decisions that work best for them. ASLA urges all landscape architects to contact their legislators about supporting this measure. TAKE ACTION HERE.