NASW Advocates for Social Workers Amid Student Loan Policy Changes

NASW continues to fight for policies that ease the burden of student loan debt for social workers and the public service workforce. Recent federal actions, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and new Department of Education rules, have introduced stricter limits on graduate loan amounts, reduced repayment options, and eliminated Graduate PLUS loans — all of which disproportionately affect social work students and graduates.

NASW is actively advocating for social work and other health programs to be recognized as professional degrees, expanding Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility, and protecting borrowers’ repayment options. Through partnerships with the PSLF Coalition and Protect Borrowers, NASW works to ensure social workers have access to student loan relief and support.

Learn more about how these changes may affect you and available resources:

• Student Loan Debt Relief for Social Workers (NASW)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Coalition
• Student Loan Payments to Resume: What You Need to Know
• Federal Student Aid website