From the Desk of AIA President Evelyn Lee

The DOE is undermining the future of architecture. Here's how we fight back. 

Dear AIA Members,

I am writing to you today about an action by the U.S. Department of Education that poses a threat to the reputational and financial future of our profession. The Department has proposed new rules for federal student lending that exclude architecture from its list of “professional degrees.”

This is not a bureaucratic reclassification; it is a fundamental misunderstanding of who we are and what we do that has real-world consequences for those pursuing advanced degrees in architecture.  

While most architecture students complete accredited undergraduate degrees, those who pursue a master’s degree—as many do to advance in practice or specialize—will be directly harmed. Under the Department’s proposal, students enrolled in these graduate programs would be subject to significantly lower federal borrowing limits, capped at $20,500 per year. If a Master’s in Architecture were classified as a professional degree under this policy, that limit would be $50,000 per year.  

For students attending schools where tuition far exceeds the cap of $20,500 per year, this change would place the burden of financing their education squarely on private loans and personal debt.  

Strengthening the business of architecture has been one of my areas of focus this year. For too long, architecture has been seen as an occupation of passion rather than a profession that creates real value. The DOE proposal will not correct that perception. There are already too few licensed architects to meet our nation's needs, and this policy will only make it harder for talented individuals to choose architecture as their career. Fewer architects graduating from professional programs will increasingly cause a bottleneck for architecture firms looking to hire.  

The progress we have fought so hard for—to build a profession that is more reflective of the diverse society we serve—will undoubtedly be diminished. We must not let that happen.

Architects Must Act.

As a leading voice for the profession, AIA is actively requesting formal clarification from the Department of Education on architecture’s omission, coordinating with partner organizations across education and licensure to present a unified response, and preparing comments and policy options to restore recognition of architecture as a professional degree for federal aid purposes. We responded quickly to the issue making it clear that we will not stand by while the profession is undermined.  

But AIA is not just an office in Washington. AIA is all of us. And this policy will severely restrict individuals’ ability to pursue architecture as a profession, meaning that the time for every member to get involved is now.

Take Action: Write Your Member of Congress; Prepare for Public Comment

• Write your member of Congress today urging them to push the Department of Education to classify architecture as a professional degree for federal aid purposes. In addition, ask your congressional leader for a legislative solution to this problem.
• Prepare for the Department of Education public comment period in early 2026 when the proposed rule is posted on the Federal Register. You can submit your comments directly through the Federal Register website. We will notify you as soon as we learn more.  

This is a critical moment for architecture. We must stand together, work together, and fight together to protect the integrity and future of our noble profession.

Sincerely, 
Evelyn Lee, FAIA 
2025 President, The American Institute of Architects