Congress Introduces Legislation to Protect Audiology Students’ Access to Federal Loans

New bipartisan legislation (H.R. 6718) introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would restore audiology to the federal definition of a professional degree under the Higher Education Act, a crucial step in protecting access to federal student loans for future audiologists.

The Professional Student Degree Act clarifies and codifies the definition of “professional degree” in statute and explicitly includes audiology among the eligible professions. This change ensures that audiology students remain eligible for the higher federal student loan limits intended for professional doctoral education.

Why This Matters

Audiologists are licensed healthcare professionals who complete rigorous doctoral-level education and extensive clinical training. Federal loan policy has long recognized the unique cost and structure of professional degree programs by providing higher borrowing limits for students pursuing these careers.

Recent changes to federal student loan law created uncertainty around which programs qualify as “professional degrees.” Without congressional clarification, audiology students could face:

• Reduced access to federal student loans
• Greater reliance on private or high-interest financing
• Increased financial barriers to entering the profession

At a time when demand for hearing health care continues to grow—particularly among older adults and underserved communities—Congress must ensure that student loan policy supports, rather than undermines, the audiology workforce pipeline.

Take Action

We urge Congress to move quickly on this legislation. Members are encouraged to contact their U.S. Representative and ask them to co-sponsor the Professional Student Degree Act.

Your voice is critical to ensuring that audiology students are treated equitably under federal student loan policy and that patients continue to have access to high-quality hearing health care. Please send a message today!