Students, Faculty: Have you been impacted by the Department of Education’s new loan limits on social work graduate degrees? Share your story with CSWE.


Beginning July 1, the Department of Education’s new definition of what constitutes a “professional degree” took effect. The removal of social work graduate degrees from that definition, coupled with the elimination of GradPLUS loans, limits the federal student loan borrowing capacity for students pursuing an MSW or DSW. 

CSWE maintains that social work degrees are, in fact, professional degrees. The MSW is required for clinical licensure and to begin independent practice. Additionally, it conveys skills and a scope of practice beyond what is offered at the BSW level. 

CSWE wants to know if you or your students are experiencing negative impacts because of these recent changes. 

Students, are you unable to make up the difference between what it costs to attend the program of your choice and the new federal borrowing cap? Are you finding it difficult to find a private loan with reasonable interest rates or payback criteria?

Faculty, are you hearing examples of these scenarios from your students—or seeing other negative impacts from these recent decisions by the Department of Education?

Fill out the form below to submit your story—or email us at [email protected].  

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