While others react, Palmer remains proactive


“This is not a moment of surprise for us,” says Michael Norris, Ph.D., vice chancellor of admissions. “It’s a moment we’ve been watching come into focus for some time. It’s a moment Palmer College is prepared for.” Across higher education, institutions are navigating what many leaders


describe as an unprecedented convergence of forces nationwide: demographic shifts, declining enrollments, rising operating costs, and a growing political emphasis on return on investment. Fewer students means more competition. And, for professional programs like chiropractic, those pressures intensified with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping federal reconciliation bill that significantly alters student loan policy. Among the bill’s most consequential provisions is the elimination of Grad PLUS


Loans and the introduction of new borrowing caps for professional students — $50,000 per year and $200,000 lifetime — significantly below the estimated total cost of a chiropractic education. For Palmer, where Grad PLUS loans represented 23 percent of total loan disbursements last fiscal year, totaling $23.5 million, the implications are substantial. Roughly 63 percent of Palmer students rely on Grad PLUS funding. “The legislation reflects a broader shift in how our government and culture view higher education,” says Abbey Nagle-Kuch, dean of student affairs. “This has been building for a long time — looking at education through a dollars-and-cents lens — and now it’s becoming tangible for our students.” At Palmer, the result will be more students looking for private loans, which typically


require a higher credit score threshold and come with fewer protections. Private loans can have variable rates, can’t be consolidated, and often require payment before graduation. “The biggest impact is going to be on access,” says Nagle-Kuch.


“For those of us in student affairs, there’s a real concern that pathways to professional education for students without significant financial means are narrowing.” Fortunately, Palmer saw the shift coming and began preparing early. As soon


as draft language around Grad PLUS elimination surfaced, leadership engaged the Board of Trustees, modeled multiple scenarios, and deepened collaboration with national advocacy partners like the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. “These organizations help translate complex legislation into campus-level impact,” Norris says. “We aren’t doing this work in isolation. We’re getting the best information and using it to support our students and the future of the College.” Palmer’s response also builds on experience and the strategic direction the College has doubled down on. In recent years, Palmer has seen unprecedented enrollment growth even as overall higher education enrollment declined nationwide. That recovery reinforced what leadership already knew: Palmer’s value proposition, outcomes, and focus on chiropractic education remain strong. At the same time, under the leadership of the provost and the academic team,


Palmer has intensified its focus on strengthening curriculum, assessment, and student support to ensure graduates achieve the highest standards of clinical competence and professional readiness. "Our responsibility is not only to enroll great students, but to ensure they graduate fully prepared to serve patients and lead the profession," says Dan Weinert, D.C. (`96), provost. This moment is no different. As always, Palmer has prepared deliberately and decisively for what comes next.


18


“Seeing how long people have been supporting students, sometimes for decades, is inspiring. As a student, it gives me a lot of confidence, and I enjoy getting to express my gratitude.”


—Kylee Arn, Student


SPRING 2026


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