AIA Opposes Proposed Department of Education Rule That Would Limit Federal Loans for Architecture Students
A letter from AIA National:
The Department of Education has opened the public comment period for its proposed rule that would strip M.Arch and D.Arch programs of their professional designation, capping federal loans for architecture students at $20,500 per year. This rule would create significant barriers for students pursuing advanced degrees in architecture, particularly those from lower- and middle-income backgrounds, and would weaken the pipeline of future architects. I want you to know that AIA is taking this seriously and acting with urgency. Our Government Affairs and Public Policy team has been deeply engaged on this issue, working alongside lawmakers and our partners, to push for a better outcome. Recently, AIA released a formal statement opposing this rule and will submit detailed comments during the public comment period, which closes on March 2. We will also continue to work tirelessly with more than 70 coalition partners, agency officials, and elected leaders to address this issue legislatively to restore professional status for architecture degrees and ensure access to affordable federal student financing. The high cost of education is already a significant barrier to entering the profession. This proposed rule would make it even harder for talented individuals to join our ranks, forcing many into private debt or out of the profession entirely. Architects design the housing, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure that serve the public good. We must ensure that the next generation of architects has the support they need to succeed. (Learn more about AIA’s public policy activities.) We’ll need your voice. While the comment period is one avenue AIA is using to respond to this policy, we believe that legislative pathways to a solution are far more likely. In less than two weeks, more than 500 architects are descending on Capitol Hill for AIA’s Legislative Summit where members of Congress will hear directly from our members about issues that affect the profession and business of architecture most. As such, we’ll be following up with you prior to the summit with an opportunity to email your representatives and let them know that architects need a solution, especially if the Department of Education’s final rule fails to align with its intended purpose. Keep an eye on your inbox; together, we can protect the future of our profession. Illya Azaroff, FAIA Carole Wedge, FAIA Comments are accepted through the government’s official website through March 2. AIA will submit formal comments during the public comment period and is working with a broad coalition of education, labor, and health organizations to elevate the real-world impacts of this rule on graduate students and professional workforce pipelines. Comments can be submitted here: https://www.regulations.gov/document/ED-2025-OPE-0944-0001 |
