Trump administration’s student loan cap excludes nursing, sparks outrage
TL/DR –
The Trump administration has proposed a plan to redefine what constitutes a professional degree, excluding nursing and limiting access to student loans. The plan proposes caps on federal loans for graduate programs, with a cap of $20,500 per year, and a lifetime limit of $100,000; for professional degrees, loan limits are higher, at $50,000 per year with a lifetime limit of $200,000. The American Nurses Association and other national health care groups have opposed the proposal, warning that it will severely restrict access to funding for students seeking advanced nursing degrees.
The Trump Administration’s Student Loans Plan and Nursing Profession
New proposals from the Trump administration aim to redefine professional degrees, potentially excluding nursing. This would limit access to student loans, leading to outrage from national healthcare groups and concern from nursing students about their graduate degree funding.
Previously, graduate students could borrow federal loans up to their degree cost. However, the new proposal introduces caps on loans based on the ‘professional’ status of the program enrolment.
This change originates from President Donald Trump’s “one big beautiful bill” according to a U.S. Department of Education news release. The annual loan cap for graduate programs will now be $20,500, with a lifetime limit of $100,000. Professional degree students can borrow up to $50,000 annually, with a lifetime limit of $200,000.
The list of professional degrees by the Education Department includes fields like pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, but notably excludes nursing. New lending limits will not affect undergraduate students.
Implications and Response
The American Nurses Association has warned against the plans, stating that it will “severely restrict access to critical funding” for advanced nursing degrees. These student loan caps are expected to be implemented from July 2026.
However, the Education Department explains that the term “professional degree” is used to distinguish programs that qualify for higher loan limits and doesn’t reflect a program’s importance.
Impact on Students and Future of Nursing
Many are concerned that this change will make pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree more challenging. Students like Naimah Brandy and Brad Bass, who are pursuing a career in nursing, express frustration and fear over the implications of the new loan limit, but remain determined to achieve their dreams.
Furthermore, there are concerns within the nursing field that this proposal could deter individuals from seeking advanced degrees, leading to future shortages in the workforce.
What’s Next?
The Education Department suggests that the change would pressure universities to lower tuition, thereby reducing student debt. However, critics like Antonia Villarruel, the dean of nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, disagree.
Meanwhile, the American Nurses Association has gathered over 200,000 signatures on a petition demanding a revision to the definition of a professional degree to include advanced nursing degrees. The Education Department has assured the public of an opportunity to weigh in on this issue before finalization.
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