AANMC / AANP Joint Statement on Final RISE Rule and Definition of “Professional Degree”
May 1, 2026
The U.S. Department of Education released its final “Reimagining and Improving Student Education” (RISE) rule, which unfortunately does not include Naturopathic Doctor (ND) within the definition of professional degree programs for federal loan limits, and adds no additional degree types. The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) share the concerns arising from this rule and its implications for naturopathic medical education.
While this is a disappointing outcome, it is important to note that it was expected that the Department was unlikely to change course from the draft rule, and that this rule represents one step in a broader policy process that is still actively evolving.
We want to be clear: we continue to advocate for student access to federal loans through coordinated, multi-profession advocacy efforts. AANMC and AANP are actively engaged as part of the Advanced Professional Workforce Alliance (APWA), a coalition of dozens of impacted professions and associations. Our organizations are working with legal counsel and federal policy experts to assess every possible advocacy and legal pathway to protect access to professional medical education and ensure administrative rules align with congressional intent.
We understand that this development may create uncertainty for students and institutions. We encourage students to continue working closely with their financial aid offices and institutional leadership for the most up-to-date guidance.
AANMC and AANP are committed to ensuring that naturopathic medical education is accurately represented in federal policy and that students retain access to the resources necessary to complete their training. We will continue to call on Congress to correct this policy failure. Federal loan policies must support—not undermine—national efforts to expand a healthcare workforce dedicated to health promotion, patient access, and integrative, whole-person medicine.
