US Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) has proposed that architecture students get government assistance with student loans in exchange for performing community service in underserved areas. Such “social” design work is a core element of sustainable design.

Perhaps it is due to architecture’s position as a licensed profession that it is specifically helped by the National Design Services Act, rather than other design disciplines such as product design, interior design or landscape architecture. The American Intitute of Architects has also noted that architects have a higher than average level of student debt.

Here’s the AIA survey infographic (via Architect Magazine):

click to enlarge

What do you think? Do other design disciplines deserve access to this type of student debt relief?