This bill would change the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the federal definition of "professional degree." It removes a reference to the existing Code of Federal Regulations language and adds a list of specific degrees that would count as professional degrees for purposes of title IV federal student aid. The listed degrees are: nursing (A.D.N., R.N., B.S.N.), occupational therapy (M.O.T.), physical therapy (D.P.T.), social work (M.S.W.), accounting (MAcc), architecture (M.Arch.), special and secondary education (M.Ed., M.S.Ed., M.A.T.), music education (M.S. or M.M.E.), world languages (M.Ed.), and public health (M.P.H.).
The bill was introduced in the House on December 16, 2025, by Representatives Debbie Dingell and Darren Soto and was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
If this bill becomes law, the federal definition of "professional degree" used for title IV student aid would explicitly include the listed degree programs. That could affect students enrolled in those programs and the institutions that offer them, because the programs would be treated as professional degrees under the Higher Education Act.
No publicly available information.
The bill's findings say the Department of Education changed the definition of professional degree and removed many health, education, and graduate credentials. Proponents say this change harms students, including students with disabilities, and could make affected programs ineligible for federal student aid starting July 1, 2026. They argue that restoring or clarifying the definition to include the listed degrees would protect student aid eligibility and help avoid worsening workforce shortages in fields that support public health, education, and safety.
No publicly available information.