ASPPH Statement on Joint Lawsuit Challenging Federal Student Loan Restrictions on Public Health Degrees

ASPPH Statement on Joint Lawsuit Challenging Federal Student Loan Restrictions on Public Health Degrees

May 21, 2026

(Washington, DC)- The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) has joined a lawsuit alongside sister organizations challenging the U.S. Department of Education's recently finalized Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) rule, which narrows the definition of "professional degree" programs for purposes of federal student loan eligibility.

The rule limits higher federal borrowing thresholds to a small group of designated "professional" fields while excluding several health profession degree programs, including the Master of Public Health (MPH), Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), and related graduate degrees. ASPPH argues that the policy arbitrarily excludes public health despite the longstanding role these programs play in preparing graduates for professional practice across various settings.

ASPPH's joint-legal filing, joined by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), the National Education Association (NEA), and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), contends that the RISE rule conflicts with existing federal and accreditation standards recognizing public health as a professional field. The rule also creates significant barriers to access graduate public health education at a time of ongoing workforce shortages nationwide. ASPPH is particularly concerned that restricting access to federal student loans will disproportionately affect students from underserved and underrepresented communities and weaken the pipeline of future public health professionals.

"If the nation is to achieve its goal of making America healthier, it must ensure a sufficient, well-trained, and practice-ready public health workforce," said Laura Magaña, PhD, MS, President and CEO of ASPPH. "These are the professionals who carry forward that mission in local health departments, federal agencies, hospitals, community organizations, and research institutions."

ASPPH's lawsuit comes alongside a separate legal challenge filed by 25 states and the District of Columbia opposing the same federal borrowing limits established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). ASPPH will continue working with coalition partners, policymakers, and legal counsel to advocate for equitable access to public health education and a strong, sustainable public health workforce.

OTHER STATEMENTS:

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

May 4, 2026

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.

ASPPH and NHIT Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance AI Training and Workforce Development in Public Health

March 17, 2026

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) and the National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved (NHIT) have entered into a strategic partnership to expand opportunities for students and strengthen the future public health workforce through emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).