The U.S. Department of Education is updating how it defines "professional degree programs." This decision will determine how much federal student loan funding dietetics graduate students can access. Right now, nutrition and dietetics programs are not clearly included in the list of professional degree programs.
If excluded, future registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) may face:
- Lower federal loan limits
- Loss of Grad PLUS loan eligibility
- Reliance on higher-interest private loans
- Delayed or abandoned training
Without appropriate loan access, many qualified students will not be able to enter the profession. This is not only a financial aid issue. It is a health care workforce issue.
The U.S. Department of Education will consider public comments through March 2 before finalizing the rule. Your voice can directly influence the final policy.
References
What You Can Do (2-5 minutes)
- Download your audience-specific comment letter template using one of the links below.
- Personalize your letter (required, even 2–3 sentences matters).
- Submit your letter at regulations.gov using the comment box in the top left corner.
- Encourage your colleagues and classmates to add their voice – share this page!
Every comment submitted helps protect the future of the nutrition and dietetics profession and the communities that depend on RDNs.
Access to professional degree student loans is important because:
- Students already struggle to finance full-time dietetics programs.
- Total program costs often exceed new federal loan limits unless dietetics is classified as "professional."
- Reduced borrowing capacity will impact enrollment, equity, and program sustainability.
- Students from low- and middle-income backgrounds would be disproportionately harmed.
Download and personalize your letter
Thank you for taking action to safeguard access to essential education and training pathways for current and future RDNs.
What this could mean for you:
- Graduate supervised practice programs are expensive and often full‑time, limiting your ability to work.
- Costs of many programs exceed the new federal caps—unless dietetics is recognized as a "professional" program.
- Without that recognition, students may face:
- Higher private loan debt
- Delays in completing training
- Barriers entering the profession
Download and personalize your letter
Thank you for taking action to safeguard access to essential education and training pathways for current and future RDNs.
Why educators should act:
- Students already struggle to finance dietetics programs.
- Total program costs often exceed new federal loan limits unless dietetics is classified as "professional."
- Reduced borrowing capacity will impact enrollment, equity, and program sustainability.
- Students from low- and middle-income backgrounds would be disproportionately harmed.
Download and personalize your letter
Thank you for taking action to safeguard access to essential education and training pathways for current and future RDNs.
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