Story perspectives

Lawmakers Push to Classify Nursing as 'Professional Degree'

12/12/2025

Summary

Story summary

A bipartisan group of over 140 lawmakers urged the U.S. Department of Education to classify nursing as a 'professional degree' to raise federal loan limits.
Current rules cap graduate loans at $100,000 and professional degrees could borrow up to $200,000.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump defined professional degrees to exclude nursing, raising concerns about more private loans.
The Education Department says caps pressure colleges to lower tuition costs.

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Story summary

A bipartisan group of over 140 lawmakers urged the U.S. Department of Education to classify nursing as a 'professional degree' to raise federal loan limits.
Current rules cap graduate loans at $100,000 and professional degrees could borrow up to $200,000.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump defined professional degrees to exclude nursing, raising concerns about more private loans.
The Education Department says caps pressure colleges to lower tuition costs.