by: AIA New York
We’ve heard from many AIA New York members who have been closely following the U.S. Department of Education’s proposal for new rules around federal student lending. Primarily included as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the new rules would exclude architecture from its list of “professional degrees,” which would lower the limit on federal borrowing for graduate degrees in architecture to $20,500 a year.
AIA New York opposes any failure to recognize architects as professionals, which devalues their rigorous education and certification requirements and the importance of expertise and professional standards in serving the public. We have long advocated for the expansion of underrepresented voices in architecture; this change would directly counteract our progress toward a more equitable and achievable path to practice by erecting barriers to pursuing architectural education. The increase in private debt and personal loans this change will cause would harm our profession’s ability to attract talent and to build a more just and sustainable future.
We encourage you to stay engaged with AIA National’s advocacy on this topic. Thus far, they have released a member briefing, a statement of opposition, and a message from AIA President Evelyn Lee, FAIA on how to fight back, which states: “As a leading voice for the profession, AIA is actively requesting formal clarification from the Department of Education on architecture’s omission, coordinating with partner organizations across education and licensure to present a unified response, and preparing comments and policy options to restore recognition of architecture as a professional degree for federal aid purposes.”
Here’s what you can do right now:
1. Write your member of Congress today urging them to push the Department of Education to classify architecture as a professional degree for federal aid purposes. In addition, ask your congressional leader for a legislative solution to this problem.
2. Prepare for the Department of Education public comment period in early 2026 when the proposed rule is posted on the Federal Register. You can submit your comments directly through the Federal Register website. We will notify you as soon as we learn more.