AAPA Files Formal Comments Opposing Proposed Federal Student Loan Rule

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) has filed formal public comments with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) opposing its proposal to exclude PA programs from higher federal “professional” student loan limits and urging the Department to align the final rule with the statute by classifying PAs under the professional loan tier. 

February 26, 2026

AAPA Comments to Education Department: Student Loan Exceeds Statutory Authority, Redefines H.R. 1’s “Professional Degree”

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), representing approximately the nation’s 190,000 physician associates/physician assistants (PAs), formally submitted public comments to the U.S. Department of Education opposing its proposed federal student loan rule under the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) framework.

February 26, 2026

What’s at Stake: Fighting for PA Access to Student Loans

Since the announcement of the Department of Education’s proposed cap on federal student loans, AAPA has received nearly 2,000 of stories from PAs, PA students, and pre-PAs describing how essential federal loans are to affording PA education and how the Department’s proposed rule would disrupt the PA workforce pipeline. This article is the second in a special AAPA News Central series, “What’s at Stake: Fighting for PA Access to Student Loans.”

February 20, 2026

Advocacy in Action: Momentum Continues

We are well into the 2026 legislative season at the federal and state levels, and momentum continues to build for PA practice modernization across the country. Your AAPA Advocacy & External Affairs team is working around the clock to support these efforts.

February 18, 2026

What’s at Stake: Fighting for PA Access to Student Loans

Since the announcement of the Department of Education’s proposed cap on federal student loans, AAPA has received nearly 2,000 of stories from PAs, PA students, and pre-PAs describing how essential federal loans are to affording PA education and how the Department’s proposed rule would disrupt the PA workforce pipeline. This article is the first in a special AAPA News Central series, “What’s at Stake: Fighting for PA Access to Student Loans.”

February 13, 2026

Topics