Albuquerque, NM – Respiratory Therapy programs, critical to hospital and emergency care staffing, may see notable changes in federal student aid availability as new regulations roll out in 2026. While most RT programs operate as accredited associate-degree pathways, they are still affected by tightened borrowing limits, new program-performance standards, and stricter rules for certificate-level respiratory tracks.
According to federal guidance, any respiratory care certificate or bridge program that is unaccredited, non-credit, or below 150 instructional hours cannot receive Title IV funding. Programs between 150 and 600 hours must now meet Workforce Pell requirements, including a 70% completion rate, 70% job placement rate, and tuition aligned with graduates’ value-added earnings measured three years after completion.
Although full RT degrees are less vulnerable to federal removal, certificate pathways and advanced-skill add-ons must also satisfy the federal “low earnings outcomes” rule beginning July 1, 2026. Under this standard, programs lose access to Direct Loans if graduates earn the same or less than adults with only a high school diploma for two of three measured years. In regions where RT entry wages are suppressed—particularly in rural facilities—some programs may face compliance challenges.
Educators warn these changes could tighten the supply of respiratory therapists at a time when demand remains high across critical care units.
