119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 6739
This bill would restore federal student aid eligibility for several graduate and professional degree programs that the Department of Education recently removed from the definition of "professional degrees" under federal law. The bill specifically adds back degrees in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, accounting, architecture, education, music education, world languages, and public health to the list of programs whose students can access federal student loans. Congress argues that the Department's recent reclassification—set to take effect July 1, 2026—would harm students with disabilities and worsen workforce shortages in critical fields like healthcare and education. The bill essentially locks in the previous regulatory definition of professional degrees while explicitly including these ten degree types to prevent loss of federal aid access. No new funding is authorized by the bill; it simply restores eligibility for existing federal student aid programs.