The American Dental Association voiced its support for a bill that would restore need-based eligibility for students to receive Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans.
The Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add Debt Act would restore eligibility that was eliminated in 2012 under the Higher Education Act, according to a June 25 news release.
In a June 23 letter to lawmakers, ADA President Brett Kessler, DDS, and Interim Executive Director Elizabeth Shapiro, DDS, noted that graduating dental students carry an average of more than $312,000 in educational debt. They also said restoring eligibility could help incentivize dental professionals to serve in underserved communities.
