ACAPT is writing to share an urgent and developing issue that has significant implications for all physical therapist education programs nationwide. 

On Thursday evening, ACAPT Leadership met with members of the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee, involved in the negotiations to include other health professions programs in the graduate professional programs category.

Based on these conversations, it is clear that physical therapy programs are uniquely and strongly positioned to challenge this change and that our collective action will be critical.

This policy change poses a serious threat to student borrowing, program stability, and ultimately the public’s access to physical therapy services. While ACAPT remains fully committed to long-term solutions that support responsible management of student debt, this federal move represents far too wide a swing of the pendulum. The proposed reform is overly broad, too sweeping in scope, and risks undermining student access for reasons that do not reflect the realities of our programs or our profession.

In response, we were advised to prepare a coordinated, two-track strategy: exploring legal options while simultaneously organizing targeted advocacy efforts and strategic institutional partnerships. ACAPT will be inviting our physical therapy colleagues from other organizations to partner with us in this fight.

Central to this work will be amplifying a clear, unified advocacy position focused on restoring student borrowing access and emphasizing accountability at the institutional level where appropriate. Our members will also play a crucial role in rapid data collection, including identifying the number of students from moderately priced programs who may be unable to secure loans for PT education under this new policy change.

Given the sensitivity and urgency of this issue, ACAPT is convening an emergency meeting of the Board to finalize a coordinated strategy and authorize next steps.

How You Can Help Right Now

We will need your voice, your partnership, and your participation. Please stay closely engaged through our Flex Community, where we will share timely updates, request data, and coordinate opportunities for collective advocacy. Your involvement and personal stories on how this will impact your program and students will directly strengthen our response. Talking points to start considering:

• Student admissions will weaken causing disruptions in quality patient care,

• The time and financial burden of implementing changes to adhere to this is a huge hurdle for programs

ACAPT is committed to protecting our students, our programs, and the integrity of our profession. Together, we can meet this challenge with clarity, unity, and determination.

Thank you for your continued partnership and leadership.