Clarity in Professional Degree Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 6739 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6739 To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the definition of professional degree. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 16, 2025 Mrs. Dingell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the definition of professional degree. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Clarity in Professional Degree Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) The Department of Education modified the definition of ``professional degree'' programs eligible for Federal student aid programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), removing many health, education, and graduate credentials from the list of definitions at the detriment of students with disabilities. (2) This reclassification is part of a new student loan policy and is expected to take effect on July 1, 2026. (3) Students in affected programs could now lose their qualification for such Federal student aid programs which experts fear would exacerbate workforce shortages. These fields are the foundation of the United States economy, ensuring that the Nation remains safe, educated, and healthy. SEC. 3. PROFESSIONAL DEGREE DEFINED. Section 455(a)(4)(C) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(a)(4)(C)) is amended-- (1) in clause (ii), by striking ``, as defined under section 668.2 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this paragraph),''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: `