Federal Policy

What it is

The U.S. Department of Education published its final Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability rule on July 1, 2026. The rule establishes an earnings measure for programs that participate in federal student aid. A program that fails the measure in two out of three consecutive years could lose eligibility for federal Direct Loans. Most provisions take effect July 1, 2027.

Why it matters for massage therapy

While the goal may be to protect students from poor outcomes, massage therapy does not always fit neatly into a one-size-fits-all earnings formula.

Many massage therapists build their income over time. Some are self-employed. Some work part-time while growing a practice. Some combine clinical, spa, wellness, mobile, teaching, or healthcare-based work. A narrow earnings test may not fully reflect how this profession actually functions.

Potential impact

If massage programs lose access to federal student aid:

• Fewer students may be able to afford training
• Schools could struggle to stay open
• Employers may face an even tighter workforce pipeline
• Communities could lose access to qualified, licensed massage therapists

IMTPA's position

IMTPA believes education policy should protect students without weakening legitimate professional training programs or closing doors to the next generation of massage therapists.

IMTPA is monitoring how the rule may affect Illinois massage therapy programs and students. We remain concerned that earnings data may not fully capture self-employment, part-time work, and the time it takes graduates to build a practice.