Grassroots Action Center
The Department of Education’s (ED) RISE rule unfairly limits federal student loan access for Counseling students, threatening the mental health workforce pipeline.
The Problem:
The RISE rule arbitrarily excludes Counseling from “professional degree” designation:
- Counseling students are limited to $20,500 per year in federal loans ($100,000 lifetime).
- Designated professional degrees can borrow $50,000 per year ($200,000 lifetime).
- This is despite the fact that Counseling professionals require a master’s degree, clinical licensure, and supervised training.
The Impact:
This unjust rule will:
- Reduce Counselor Workforce: Counseling program enrollment is expected to decline significantly, worsening the critical mental health shortage.
- Force Private Lending: Students will be forced into high-interest private loans (5%–18% rates) with fewer borrower protections and greater default risk.
- Harm Lower-Income Students: The rule will disproportionately impact lower-income students who are unable to afford the tuition gap.
- Undermine Profession: This rule unfairly treats the Counseling profession as less professional than comparable disciplines.
The Solution:
A Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution has been introduced to disapprove the RISE rule entirely. The resolution needs Republican cosponsorship to succeed.
What You Can Do:
If you are a constituent of one of the 10 key Republican senators, contact their office today and ask them to cosponsor the CRA resolution overturning the RISE rule.
- Sen. Capito (West Virginia)
- Sen. Collins (Maine)
- Sen. Cornyn (Texas)
- Sen. Husted (Ohio)
- Sen. Hyde-Smith (Mississippi)
- Sen. Lummis (Wyoming)
- Sen. Moody (Florida)
- Sen. Murkowski (Alaska)
- Sen. Tillis (North Carolina)
- Sen. Wicker (Mississippi)
Key message: Counseling is a legitimate professional discipline deserving of equal treatment in federal student loan policy. The RISE rule is unfair, makes Counseling education unaffordable, and damages the mental health workforce. Please cosponsor the CRA resolution.
Why This Matters:
America faces a critical Mental Health Counselor shortage. Restricting access to Counseling education worsens this crisis. The CRA resolution provides a bipartisan vehicle for correcting this unjust rule.
Urgent Timeline: Resolution introduction is May 27—we must secure cosponsor commitments now.
