On April 30, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) finalized its Reimagining and Improving State Education (RISE) rule, with most provisions taking effect July 1, 2026. The rule changes how graduate and professional students may borrow federal student loans by establishing new borrowing limits, ending the Graduate PLUS loan program for most new borrowers, and streamlines repayment options.

For the orthotics and prosthetics profession, the most significant issue is how the rule defines “professional student.” In the final rule, the DOE retained a narrow list of 11 designated professional degree programs that qualify for higher borrowing limits. Orthotics and prosthetics programs are not included on that list, meaning O&P students will be treated as “graduate students” –not “professional students”—for federal loan purposes.

This distinction has important financial implications with loan limits significantly lower for graduate students than for professional students. Under the final rule, students enrolled in designated professional degree programs may borrow up to $50,000 annually, with a $200,000 aggregate limit. Graduate students in non-designated programs are limited to $20,500 annually, with a $100,000 aggregate cap. In addition, the rule also ends new Graduate PLUS loan borrowing for students who do not qualify for transition protections.

During the public comment period, ABC submitted comments opposing the exclusion of orthotics and prosthetics from the list of designated professional degree programs and urged the DOE to recognize O&P programs in the final rule. Despite these efforts, the DOE finalized the rule without expanding the list.

For O&P education programs, the changes may create new financial barriers for students entering the profession. Many organizations responding to the rule raised concerns about affordability, workforce pipeline challenges, and the risk that reduced federal borrowing access could make it more difficult for students to pursue allied-heath graduate education.

The final rule does include a limited transition period for some currently enrolled students. Borrowers who were already enrolled in a program and had already received a federal loan for that program before July 1, 2026, may be able to continue borrowing under prior limits for up to three years or until they complete their credential, provided they remain continuously enrolled.

Changes to student loan access could affect the future O&P workforce and, over time, patient access to care. ABC encourages credential holders, educators, and students to review the final rule carefully and stay informed as changes take effect.