Congress·In Committee·S. 4039

Sen. Alsobrooks Introduces the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act to Boost Graduate Student Loans

Professional Degree Access Restoration Act

12 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

This bill would reverse recent cuts to federal loan availability for graduate and professional students. It amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to undo reductions enacted under Public Law 119-21, which had lowered how much graduate students could borrow through federal loan programs.
From policy text
“To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reverse the reductions in Federal loan availability for graduate and professional students enacted under Public Law 119-21.”
View in full text
The bill restores annual and aggregate borrowing limits for graduate and professional students by removing caps that were recently imposed. It strikes provisions that had set new lower limits on Federal Direct loans for periods of instruction beginning on or after June 30, 2026.
The legislation also eliminates a recently added subparagraph and paragraph that had restructured how graduate and professional student loans worked, effectively restoring the previous, more generous federal loan framework.
From policy text
“by striking subparagraph (C); and (2) by striking paragraph (4), and redesignating paragraphs (5) through (8) as paragraphs (4) through (7), respectively.”
View in full text
The bill was introduced by Senator Alsobrooks along with 12 Democratic co-sponsors and has been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. As a minority-party bill in the current Congress, it faces a steep climb to passage.
From policy text
“Ms. Alsobrooks (for herself, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Kim, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Smith, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Markey, Mr. Merkley, and Mr. Lujan) introduced the following bill”
View in full text

EducationEconomy Finance

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Mar 10, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced in Senate

Related News

4 articles

Politico·12 days ago

Alsobrooks Introduces Bill to Repeal OBBBA Provision and Restore Federal Loan Availability for Graduate and Professional Students

Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) introduced the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act to reverse recent reductions in federal loan availability for graduate and professional students. The bill would amend the Higher Education Act to restore loan limits narrowed under the OBBBA.

CL=

Targeted News Service·10 days ago

Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Restore Student Loan Assistance for Students, Boost Health Care Workforce

Senator Ron Wyden and colleagues introduced the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act to reverse a provision in the 'Big Ugly Bill' that reduced federal student loan availability. The bill aims to expand access for students pursuing careers in nursing, teaching, and social work.

Inside Higher Ed·18 days ago

Lawmakers and Universities Push Back on Loan Caps

Hundreds of lawmakers and university leaders are urging the Department of Education to amend new regulations on federal student loans. The article highlights the introduction of the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act as a legislative solution to restore borrowing limits.