The U.S. Department of Education has designated that only select professions are eligible for federal graduate loans. A variety of health science programs were excluded from this list, which drastically affects students who are in need of federal financial aid for Masters and/or Doctoral level education.
“By excluding Occupational Therapy from the definition of “professional,” our government will be exacerbating the shortage of trained professionals equipped to maintain the health and wellness of American citizens. This will directly prevent people like me from pursuing their dream of becoming an OT, and will drastically decrease the quality of life in our country,” said first-year OTD student, Savannah Halabuk.
Faculty within the GW Occupational Therapy (OT) program have collaborated to provide a sample letter (below) to send to the elected Senator or Representative of your state, and request their advocacy for the inclusion of OT, PT, and Speech Therapy in the professional education designation.
On December 2, 2025, OT and physical therapy programs collaborated for a joint advocacy education session, in-person and virtually, to identify opportunities to further advocate for health professions.
[Subject] Support for Including Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology in the Department of Education’s “Profession” Designation
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
The Honorable [Senator/Representative Full Name]
[Address]
United States [Senate/House of Representatives]
Washington, D.C. [ZIP Code]
Dear [Senator/Representative Full Name]
I am writing to express my strong support for the inclusion of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology in the U.S. Department of Education’s designation of “professional” degrees. This designation is crucial to ensure that students in these essential healthcare fields are eligible for the $200,000 federal loan borrowing cap currently afforded to other recognized professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. The academic and clinical training required to become licensed in these fields is rigorous and comparable in length and intensity to other professional doctorates. However, current federal loan limits—set significantly lower than the cost of these programs—create substantial financial barriers for qualified students who aspire to enter these critical areas of healthcare.
Recognizing Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology disciplines as “professions” would ensure equitable access to financial aid, and help to maintain a robust pipeline of practitioners ready to meet the growing needs of an aging population, individuals with chronic conditions, and those recovering from injury or illness. These rehabilitative professions are integral to the nation’s healthcare workforce, providing vital services that restore mobility, independence, communication, and quality of life to millions of Americans each year.
I respectfully urge you to support and advocate for the inclusion of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology in the Department of Education’s “professional” degrees rhetoric, so that future students are afforded the same opportunities as their peers in other healthcare fields.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and for your continued commitment to supporting higher education and healthcare access.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Credentials, if applicable]
[Your City, State]
