Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education And Workforce topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
California PA Board hears warning over federal rule that could tighten student loan eligibility for PA programs
Summary
Board President Vasco Dion Kiddo told the California Physician Assistant Board that a Jan. 30, 2026 proposed Department of Education rule would narrow the federal definition of "professional student," potentially cutting annual federal loan limits for PA students and prompting national advocacy and comment efforts.
The California Physician Assistant Board on Feb. 23 heard a warning from its president that a proposed U.S. Department of Education rule could sharply reduce federal loan access for physician assistant students and ripple through PA program enrollment and workforce pipelines.
"On 01/30/2026, the US Department of Education issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would narrow the federal definition of a professional student," Board President Vasco Dion Kiddo told members during his president's report. Kiddo said the change would replace a function-based definition with a fixed list of disciplines, and that "PA students would be limited to 20,500 per year in federal loans" beginning on the proposed effective date unless the rule or related legislation changes.
Kiddo said national PA organizations are mobilizing a response and that a federal bill (Professional Student Degree Act, cited in materials) has been introduced but has not advanced. He urged awareness of the public comment period and the possible implications for enrollment and the workforce.
Sonny Klein, president of the California Association of PAs, told the board CAPA is actively engaging the Department of Education and Congress, has published comment and petition links for PAs, and is coordinating meetings with national AAPA leadership to encourage a statutory or regulatory remedy. "I personally have called the secretary of education twice," Klein said, noting statewide and national outreach to collect comments.
Next steps: the proposed rule remains in the public comment period and board members noted advocacy is underway through national and state PA organizations. The board did not take a policy vote at the meeting; staff and stakeholders continue to monitor the rulemaking and related federal legislation.
