March 3, 2026
Yesterday, AATA submitted a public comment on a proposed rule from the Department of Education that would define “professional student” for purposes of determining federal student loan amounts based on the type of program in which a student is enrolled. We were joined by dozens of art therapists and art therapy students in submitting comments urging the Department to expand their definition. If these rules are finalized, art therapy students would not be able to borrow more than $100,000 total through federal student loans beginning July 1, 2026.
Under the proposal, “professional students” would be those enrolled in one of 11 designated professional degree programs: pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, theology and clinical psychology. Students enrolled in these programs would qualify for up to $50,000 in federal loans per year, with a $200,000 aggregate limit. All other graduate students would be eligible only for up to $20,500 in federal student loans per year, with a $100,000 aggregate limit. This narrow definition of “professional degree programs” leaves out art therapy as well as many other critical health professions, from nursing and physical therapy to social work.
Art therapists and art therapy students have relied on federal student loans to help pay for their graduate education. According to our online survey taken in February 2026, 95% of respondents told us that they took out federal loans to help pay for their graduate-level tuition, and many also used the funds to pay for school-related expenses, including books, art supplies, and rent.
“Without federal financial aid, I would not have been able to afford to pursue graduate study, especially while my husband was attending medical school. Helping and healing professions are more important than ever before to train people to care for and support people of all ages with mental and physical health.
Do not put up more obstacles for those who wish to serve their communities by caring for its more fragile members.”
— Jennifer, Art Therapist based in Georgia
Student Loan Survey Results
In February 2026, AATA conducted an online survey of art therapists and art therapy students about their experiences with federal student loans to help us write our public comments.
The vast majority of survey takers told us that they did take out federal student loans. Three-fourths (78%) said they took out more than $20,500/year in federal student loans, the proposed annual loan maximum. Among those currently enrolled or recently completed their program in the past 10 years (75 respondents), 81% said they took out more than $20,500/year in federal student loans.
One-third (33%) said they took out more than $50,000/year in student loans, the proposed annual loan maximum for the 11 professional programs.
Nearly all of the survey takers (92%) also believed that “these proposed changes will discourage individuals from entering the art therapy profession.” As one survey taker explained:
“Finances are already a barrier to entry [into the art therapy profession]. If individuals are unable to borrow funds to finance their education AND make enough money to cover future living expenses and the costs of their loans, they will seek out other professions that pay more. Fullstop.”
— Bethany, Art Therapist based in New York and New Jersey
We also asked survey takers if these proposed federal loan borrowing limits were in place when they started their art therapy education, what would they have considered. More than half (58%) said that they may have chosen an entirely different career path.
