02/14/2026
TL;DR: A new federal proposal could slash loan access for audiology students by half. This threatens the future audiology workforce and access to hearing care. Public comments are open until March 2, 2026.
https://www.regulations.gov/document/ED-2025-OPE-0944-0001
🚨 Urgent for Audiologists, Students, and Families
The U.S. Department of Education has released a proposed rule that would exclude audiology and speech-language pathology from the list of “professional degree” programs for federal student loans.
If this goes through as written, federal lifetime graduate loans for audiology students would be capped at $100,000, while other recognized professional degree programs can access up to $200,000.
For audiology doctoral students, this could:
-Create huge financial barriers to entering the profession
-Shrink the future audiology workforce
-Limit access to hearing care, especially in rural and underserved communities in Missouri
📅 Key dates:
Proposed rule released: February 3, 2026
Public comment period ends: March 2, 2026
New loan limits would take effect: July 1, 2026
The Department of Education can still change this rule based on public comments. That’s why it’s critical for audiologists, students, patients, families, and community members to speak up now.
👉 Please take a few minutes to submit a public comment here by March 2, 2026:
https://www.regulations.gov/document/ED-2025-OPE-0944-0001
Our goal is simple: Audiology must be clearly recognized as a professional degree program so students can access the financing they need to enter and sustain careers in this essential field.
