SEAOC Advocacy
Advocacy Updates
This page provides updates on SEAOC’s advocacy activities, including legislative engagement,
regulatory developments, and policy issues affecting the structural engineering profession
and public safety. Check back frequently to access the latest information.
SEAOC Response to Proposed Federal Definition of “Professional Degrees”
Posted: December 15, 2025 ·
Higher Education
Workforce
SEAOC issued a press release in response to a proposed U.S. Department of Education rule that would narrow eligibility
for higher federal student-loan limits to a small set of designated “professional degrees.” Engineering is not included
in the proposed list, which would reclassify engineering and other high-demand technical disciplines as “non-professional”
for financial-aid purposes.
SEAOC emphasized that structural engineering is a critical public-safety profession requiring advanced, rigorous education,
and that restricting access to necessary financial aid risks constraining the future engineering workforce—particularly for
first-generation, low-income, and historically underserved students. SEAOC will continue to monitor this issue and share
opportunities for engagement as the federal rulemaking process moves forward.