ACTION ALERT: Social Work Is a Professional Degree

February 26, 2026: As a reminder, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) published proposed rules that were created and agreed upon by the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee, including updating its definition of “professional degrees,” a classification that determines federal student loan eligibility for graduate programs. Historically, social work has been recognized as a professional degree, allowing MSW students to access federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and other critical funding. Under the proposed rule, social work would no longer meet the professional degree criteria, creating significant financial barriers for students. This change comes amid growing demand for social workers in behavioral health, child welfare, education, and community services—sectors already facing severe workforce shortages.

CSWE encourages members to continue to submit their own personalized comments that demonstrate the importance of the MSW/DSW degree, and how the proposed final rule will impact the field of social work in their local community. We encourage members, within their comments, to highlight the following if it is applicable to your social work education journey:

  • The importance of seeking an MSW/DSW degree in order to obtain LCSW licensure.
  • The restrictions that come with only having an LBSW and why it is not sufficient for providing the clinical services that an LCSW offers.
  • A timeline that is representative of 6 years of postsecondary education to graduate with a MSW/DSW and obtain LCSW licensure.

CSWE will continue to advocate for social work education and will be submitting formal comments to DOE. CSWE thanks all members for their continued support and resolve to advocate for our nation’s social workers. 

Congressional Budget Office Releases February Projection on Pell Grant Funding

On February 11, 2026,  the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its February projections for the Federal Pell Grant program, projecting that by the end of fiscal year (FY) 2026, ending on September 30, the Pell Grant program will be short of $5.45 billion. If Congress does not make cuts or put in new money to the program, the shortfall would increase by $11.5 billion in FY 2027, creating a $16.95 billion shortfall. By 2036, the final year included in the CBO’s 10-year projection, the cumulative toll could reach $132 billion, decrease the maximum award, currently set at $7,395 per year, and add limits to when those grants could be used. CSWE will continue to track how Congress negotiates Pell Grant funding and the impact it may have on the professional health workforce. Read more.

Congress Passes FY 2026 Funding Package Securing Key Investments in Education, Health, and Behavioral Health Workforce

On February 3, 2026, the House approved a five-bill funding package to end a brief partial government shutdown. This legislation includes final fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding for the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, and other critical departments and agencies. Later that evening, President Trump signed the funding package into law.  For issues pertaining to social work and social work education, the bill: 

  • Funds $7.5 billion to the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration, including: 
    • $1.6 billion for the State Opioid Response Grants
    • $1.9 billion for the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant; 
    • and $19.5 million to the Minority Fellowship Program
  • Funds $8.9 billion to the Health Resources and Services Administration, including:
    • Level funding of $114 million for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training programs;
    • $40 million for the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program;
    • $417 million for rural health programs
  • Maintains the maximum Pell award at $7,395 for the 2026–2027 school year and provides $1.2 billion for Federal Work Study and $910 million for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.
  • In the Joint Explanatory Statement, the Senate directs the Department of Education to provide biweekly briefings to Congress on the implementation of interagency agreements that transfer DOE’s functions to various agencies, including functions within the Office of Postsecondary Education to the Department of Labor.

Looking ahead, as the FY 2026 funding bills are signed into law, the Trump Administration is preparing to submit its FY 2027 President’s Budget Request to Congress. The Budget Request is not an official allocation of funding, but it serves as a guide for the Administration’s funding priorities across all departments and agencies.