EVANSTON, Ill., June 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of the massage
therapy profession, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
has taken action and filed a federal lawsuit challenging a new
Department of Education (DoEd) rule, which eliminates the
longstanding "150% rule" for federal financial aid for students in
massage therapy programs and other career school programs. On June
7, the complaint, motion for preliminary injunction,
and brief were filed in federal district court in
Washington, D.C. AMTA's challenge
to the new rule, scheduled to go into effect on July 1, seeks to delay its implementation in an
effort to overturn the new rule completely and reinstate the 150%
rule.
Why it is Crucial to Save the 150% Rule
The U.S.
DoEd's new rule will affect students in "clock hour programs,"
which are career-focused courses that measure progress based on
time spent studying, unlike traditional colleges that use a
credit-based system. Each state sets its own requirements for
licenses and minimum education hours for career schools, including
massage therapy programs. Many massage therapy programs often
include extra coursework beyond the minimum hours to help students
pass exams and learn the latest techniques.
Previously, the Department of Education allowed certain programs
to exceed the minimum hours by up to 150 percent, while still
qualifying for federal student aid. Under the new regulations,
massage therapy programs and other career school programs would be
ineligible for the full array of Title IV federal financial aid,
specifically the Pell Grant, if they exceed the state-mandated
minimum hours. This could greatly reduce the supply of massage
therapy graduates entering the workforce as well as graduates in
other critical areas such as nursing, allied health, trucking,
cosmetology, and barbering.
You Can Also Take Action to Help Save the 150% Rule!
Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11)
recently introduced H.R. 7810, a bill that would protect career
school students by amending the U.S. Department of Education's
(DoEd) "clock hour" requirements for certain educational programs,
including massage therapy. Rep. Smucker's legislation H.R. 7810 is
supported by fellow House Reps. GT Thompson (PA-15), Dan Meuser (PA-9), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), and Mike Lawler (NY-17).
Along with our bold action to file a lawsuit to save the 150%
rule, AMTA encourages all career schools, educators, students and
members of the general public to reach out to your House Member and
ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 7810. Additionally, for individuals
residing in the districts of Reps. Smucker, Thompson, Meuser,
Van Orden, and Lawler, please reach
out and thank them for their leadership and commitment to
career-school students!
About The American Massage Therapy Association
The
American Massage Therapy Association, the most trusted name in
massage therapy, is the largest non-profit, professional
association serving massage therapists, massage students and
massage schools. The association is directed by volunteer
leadership and fosters ongoing, direct member-involvement through
its 51 chapters. AMTA works to advance the profession through
ethics and standards, the promotion of fair and consistent
licensing of massage therapists in all states, and public education
on the benefits of massage. To find a qualified massage
therapist in your area, please visit AMTA's Find a Massage
Therapist Locator Service™.
Media Contact: communications@amtamassage.org
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SOURCE American Massage Therapy Association