Take Action to Save Student Loan Access for Wellness Careers

New Legislation May Threaten Loan Options for Our Students

The Academy of Natural Therapy has always believed that education should open doors—not close them.

A newly proposed federal rule from the U.S. Department of Education could put that at risk for massage therapy, esthetics, cosmetology, and other wellness-based career programs nationwide.

If passed as written, this rule could remove access to Title IV federal student aid for many certificate-based programs by applying a “do-no-harm” earnings test that does not accurately reflect how these professions work in the real world.

Many massage therapists, estheticians, and cosmetologists work part-time, build income through tips, and serve in careers where earnings vary greatly by region and business model. Comparing these graduates to full-time professionals in unrelated degree-based fields sets an unfair standard that could force schools to lose funding – and even close.

For students, that means fewer opportunities to pursue careers they love.
For communities, it means fewer trained professionals entering salons, spas, clinics, and wellness practices.
For schools like the Academy of Natural Therapy, it threatens the future of hands-on, career-focused education.

This is not just a school issue—it affects the entire industry.

We encourage students, graduates, employers, and community members to speak up before May 20, 2026.

How You Can Help

Submit a public comment to the Department of Education and contact your congressional representative to ask for changes to this proposed rule.

For the most impactful results, your comment should be personal and unique. Share your own experience as a student, graduate, employer, educator, or supporter of these professions.

Helpful topics to mention include:

• Part-time work is being unfairly measured against full-time salary expectations
• Tip income is not being included in earnings calculations
• Regional wage differences are being ignored
• The risk of school closures and workforce shortages
• The ways that massage and esthetics education have impacted your life or business

Help Students! Take Action Here:

➡ Submit your public comment
➡ Find your congressional representative

The future of wellness education depends on people speaking up now.

At Academy of Natural Therapy, we remain committed to helping students build meaningful careers. We hope you’ll help protect that opportunity for future generations.