US: Nursing and others no longer considered professional degree for student loan purposes
The U.S. Department of Education, under the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” has reclassified nursing so that it is no longer considered a “professional degree.” As a result, nursing students—including those pursuing master's, doctoral, or advanced nursing credentials—will face lower federal student loan caps than before. There are over 260,000 students enrolled in BSN programs and around 42,000 in associate-level nursing programs. Critics, including the American Nurses Association and industry experts, warn this change could significantly limit nurses’ access to funding for graduate education, hamper advancement to advanced practice roles, and worsen nursing shortages, especially in underserved areas. The measures are scheduled to take effect starting July 1, 2026. Programs for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical therapists and audiologists would likewise be affected.