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Professional Degree Access Restoration Act

USA119th CongressS-4039| Senate 
| Updated: 3/10/2026
Angela D. Alsobrooks

Angela D. Alsobrooks

Democratic Senator

Maryland

Cosponsors (16)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Andy Kim (Democratic)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reverse previous reductions in federal loan availability for graduate and professional students. This legislation specifically targets changes made by Public Law 119-21, aiming to restore the level of financial assistance accessible to those pursuing advanced degrees. The bill achieves this by modifying Section 455(a) of the Higher Education Act, which governs annual and aggregate loan limits. Key provisions include striking specific language related to "federal direct plus loans" and removing certain subparagraphs and paragraphs that imposed limitations or specific end dates on loan availability. By eliminating these restrictions, the Act intends to ensure that graduate and professional students have unimpeded access to federal student loans as they did prior to the enactment of Public Law 119-21.
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Timeline
Dec 11, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6677
Introduced in House
Mar 10, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 10, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • December 11, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6677
    Introduced in House


  • March 10, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 10, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Education

Professional Degree Access Restoration Act

USA119th CongressS-4039| Senate 
| Updated: 3/10/2026
The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reverse previous reductions in federal loan availability for graduate and professional students. This legislation specifically targets changes made by Public Law 119-21, aiming to restore the level of financial assistance accessible to those pursuing advanced degrees. The bill achieves this by modifying Section 455(a) of the Higher Education Act, which governs annual and aggregate loan limits. Key provisions include striking specific language related to "federal direct plus loans" and removing certain subparagraphs and paragraphs that imposed limitations or specific end dates on loan availability. By eliminating these restrictions, the Act intends to ensure that graduate and professional students have unimpeded access to federal student loans as they did prior to the enactment of Public Law 119-21.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Dec 11, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6677
Introduced in House
Mar 10, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 10, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • December 11, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6677
    Introduced in House


  • March 10, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 10, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Angela D. Alsobrooks

Angela D. Alsobrooks

Democratic Senator

Maryland

Cosponsors (16)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Andy Kim (Democratic)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Education

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted