Michael J. Monti has served as executive director of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture since 2004. Monti holds an undergraduate degree in journalism from Northwestern University and doctorate in Philosophy, Interpretation, Culture from Binghamton University.
Courses
Federal Student Loans and Architects: What You Need to Know
Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 2-3pm ET
Federal student loan policy plays a significant role in shaping access to architectural education, early-career financial stability, and long-term workforce sustainability within the profession. As federal policies evolve, architects, firm leaders, and educators must understand how changes to borrowing limits, degree classifications, and repayment programs affect students, employees, and hiring pipelines. This course provides a comprehensive overview of current federal student loan structures and recent policy changes, with specific focus on their relevance to architectural education and practice. Participants will examine how these changes influence affordability of professional degrees, repayment strategies for existing borrowers, and firm-level considerations related to recruitment, retention, and career advancement. While individual loan counseling is outside the scope of this session, attendees will leave with a clear framework for evaluating impacts and identifying reliable resources for further guidance.