1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

I am appalled by the Department of Education’s proposed rule to classify such careers as teachers, nurses, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, and counselors, as “non-professional” careers, which causes them to not receive federal loan assistance.    I put myself through school with loans and scholarships, and couldn’t have done it without that assistance.  These professions, which of course  are all female-dominated, will suffer from this new rule.     This rule will only cause fewer people to choose these careers because it will be difficult to pay for the degree. I am a professor at Valparaiso University.   To say that paying tuition is front and center of these students’ minds is an understatement.  I’ve never seen my Public Administration student so engaged with current events as the day of class after this abysmal new Dept of Ed rule.      This rule is fiscally irresponsible, short-sighted, and is a structural assault on the workforce that protects children, educates communities, cares for the sick, and stabilizes families.  Please show some moral leadership and fight to give these professions the respect and integrity they deserve.