Why 98 Percent of People Say No to New Student Loan Rules

In this article, you’ll discover:

• Why over 98 percent of people oppose the new graduate loan rules.
• How lower borrowing limits could hurt nursing and therapy programs.
• The direct link between student debt and future patient care.
• What healthcare employers are doing to solve staffing problems.

It is hard to get people to agree on anything these days. But a new set of rules for student debt has brought almost everyone together in protest. Starting July 1, 2026, new limits on graduate borrowing take effect. A recent study by Clasp looked at 19,620 public comments about this change. The results were clear. Almost no one likes the new loan limits.

“We saw people repeatedly connect borrowing policy with workforce access and patient care,” said Tess Michaels, Founder and CEO of Clasp. “The discussion extended beyond tuition costs. Many submissions raised broader questions around who enters healthcare professions, whether patients can access care, and how existing shortages could become harder to solve.”

Michaels noted that this is a widespread issue. “We already have hospitals across the country struggling to hire nurses, therapists, behavioral health providers, and advanced practice clinicians,” she added. “Many commenters raised the same concern. If barriers to entering those professions increase, existing workforce shortages become harder to solve.”

Brent Mack, DPT, Chief Executive Officer of Therapy Partners Group, shared a similar worry about patient care. “Physical therapy is already facing significant workforce challenges, and the cost of education continues to be one of the biggest barriers preventing talented people from entering and advancing within the profession,” Mack said. “As policymakers debate changes to graduate borrowing, healthcare employers have an important role to play in supporting their future workforce. That’s why we’ve invested in student loan repayment with Clasp as part of our broader workforce strategy. It’s not just about recruiting and retaining talent; it’s about making physical therapy a more sustainable career path and helping ensure patients have access to the care they need for years to come.”

A Huge Problem for Healthcare Workers

Out of all the comments reviewed, a shocking 19,243 opposed the changes. That is over 98 percent. Only 63 people supported them. The biggest worry is how this will hurt our healthcare system. Programs for nurses, physical therapists, and social workers will face lower borrowing limits. At the same time, students studying medicine, law, and dentistry get to keep their higher limits. People feel this is deeply unfair to essential health workers.

Why Are People So Worried?

The public is not just worried about money. They are worried about who will take care of us when we get sick. In the comments that opposed the rules, 29 percent talked about a lack of staff. Another 28 percent mentioned patient access and the quality of care. People also voiced heavy concerns for rural areas and the mental health field. This is not just a nursing issue. It touches every part of our medical care.

Schools Expect Fewer Students

Colleges and universities are raising alarms. Over 140 schools sent in formal letters. Johns Hopkins University expects a 25 percent drop in nursing master’s students. The American Occupational Therapy Association noted that applications are already down 33 percent since 2018. They warned that these new rules will only make the funding gaps much worse. With high tuition costs, lower loan caps could push many talented students away from the field.

Women Face the Biggest Impact

The rules will heavily impact jobs that are filled mostly by women. For example, 98 percent of speech-language pathologists are female. Nurse practitioners are 87 percent female. Social workers are 82 percent female. These fields already face major staffing problems. Making it harder to pay for school will only hurt these vital workers more.

Fixing the Talent Pipeline

Because paying for school is so hard, healthcare employers are stepping up. Many are offering to help pay off student loans or cover tuition to attract good workers. Groups like Clasp are partnering with hospitals to tie student debt support to long-term jobs. This helps hospitals hire people earlier and keep them longer. While lawmakers debate the rules, these smart programs might be the best way to keep our health clinics fully staffed.