"So far, the lobbying effort has included a slew of public comments from aviation associations, airlines and aerospace institutions as well as a letter from a bipartisan group of more than 30 senators. Together, the air travel advocates argue that the bachelor's degree necessary for a pilot's license meets the same standards as a doctorate in medicine or law, which are more commonly cited as professional programs."
"Congress created the loan caps in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed over the summer. But the Education Department is under a time crunch, as the caps take effect in less than eight months. That's where this week's meeting comes in, as the advisory committee and the department work to craft the regulations and define the terms needed to implement the bill."
College aviation programs are seeking professional designation from the Education Department to let students access higher federal loan limits. Aviation associations, airlines, aerospace institutions, and a bipartisan group of over 30 senators argue that the bachelor's degree required for a pilot's license meets standards comparable to professional degrees such as medicine and law. Advocates warn that excluding aviation from professional status will worsen the commercial pilot shortage. The Education Department and an advisory committee will decide which programs qualify before loan caps from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect. Proposed annual loan caps: undergraduates $7,500; graduate $20,500; professional $50,000.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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