As Congress prepares to assemble a budget reconciliation bill, harmful components of last year’s College Cost Reduction Act could be included. These provisions include eliminating the Grad PLUS Loan Program, capping federal loans at $200,000 per borrower, and establishing new risk-sharing payments. Osteopathic medical students and COMs would be harmed by these proposals.

Grad PLUS loans help make osteopathic medical education more accessible and over 80% of last year’s students had Grad PLUS loans. Eliminating Grad PLUS loans would send borrowers to the less-protected, higher-cost private loan market. At a time when there is a physician shortage, it is important that we do not place economic barriers on eligible students who want to participate in the Grad PLUS program.

Please join the osteopathic medical education community in urging your Members of Congress to preserve Grad PLUS and oppose any efforts to eliminate the program or impose added burdens on COMS and DO students!