Lawmakers and Universities Push Back on Loan Caps

"The 240-page regulation, first released in January, narrowly interprets the new loan limits established by Congress's One Big Beautiful Bill Act by designating only a select group of 11 postbaccalaureate degree programs 'professional.' Students enrolled in those programs will be allowed to borrow up to $50,000 per year, the regulations say. The other programs will be labeled 'graduate,' meaning borrowers can borrow only half that amount from the government."

"Critics want the department to expand its definition of professional, adding to the list other high-cost, high-demand medical professions such as physician assistantship, nurse anesthesiology, speech pathology and occupational therapy. Some lobbying groups-including the American Council on Education-hope to see the definition expand even further and include licensed professions such as social work, education and accounting."

"Many comments-including a bipartisan, bicameral letter signed by more than 150 members of Congress-focused specifically on the detriment such a loan cap would have on the future of nursing, which the regulations do not deem a 'professional' degree. But others, including the Democratic senators representing Virginia and Republican representative Mike Lawler of New York, encouraged the department to consider concerns beyond immediate bedside care."

The Department of Education's new 240-page regulation on federal student loans, based on Congress's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, designates only 11 postbaccalaureate programs as 'professional,' allowing borrowers up to $50,000 annually. Other programs classified as 'graduate' limit borrowing to $25,000 per year. Critics, including 150+ members of Congress, university leaders, and academic associations, argue this narrow definition will deter students from pursuing high-demand fields like nursing, physician assistantship, nurse anesthesiology, speech pathology, and occupational therapy, worsening healthcare workforce shortages. The public comment period received nearly 17,500 responses, predominantly opposing the regulations. Some groups advocate expanding the definition further to include social work, education, and accounting.

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