Effective July 1, 2026 the Department of Education is proposing to lower the amount of federal student loans available for PT, OT and SLP graduate students in rehabilitation from $50,000 per year to $20,500 per year. When federal borrowing no longer meets graduate program tuition and required living expenses, actual or potential students may be faced with difficult choices: taking on high-interest private debt, delaying or abandoning enrollment, reducing course loads (often difficult with the structure and intensity of these programs), or leaving programs altogether.

We’re asking providers to share how these financing gaps may affect the workforce and your ability to meet the needs of the patients you serve. This advocacy is an opportunity to submit comments to the DOE about the impact this change will have on organizations delivering care to patients.  Your comments must be unique so we will provide you with questions that will be helpful in developing your comments.