APA Services drafted and led letters from the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) to Houseopens in new window and Senateopens in new window leadership and leaders of key committees urging lawmakers to reject proposals that would severely impact student loan programs and financial aid essential for health professions students. This continues APA Services’ longtime advocacy in support of increased access to graduate education and comes as congressional Republicans are considering party-line legislation that could make substantial changes that roll back support for graduate students.
Specifically, the letters express deep concerns with proposed cuts or elimination of federal student financial aid programs such as Grad PLUS loans, Pell Grants, and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, as well as several student and borrower-related tax benefits. These programs are vital for students pursuing careers in psychology, providing them the necessary financial support to persist in their education and training. The letters stress the negative impact of paring back these programs on students and the health workforce, in the absence of any other additional federal financial assistance for graduate study.
As the legislative process continues, APA Services is committed to advocating for programs that support doctoral psychology students and the behavioral health workforce. We call on psychologists to join us in this work and lend their voiceopens in new window in pushing back against these and other proposals that threaten education and training.
For more information, contact Kenneth Polishchuk.