U.S.: temporary block on changes to definition of "professional degree"
A federal court has temporarily blocked portions of the U.S. Department of Education's regulations that narrowed the definition of a "professional degree" for purposes of federal graduate student loan limits. The ruling found that the department likely exceeded its statutory authority by adopting a more restrictive definition than the one established by Congress, which would have excluded many graduate programs in fields such as nursing, physical therapy, and other licensed professions from higher borrowing limits. While the court's decision preserves the longstanding definition of professional degree pending further litigation, the underlying statutory loan caps enacted by Congress remain in effect. The case highlights the importance of regulatory agencies adhering to legislative intent when implementing new regulatory frameworks and the potential impact that definition changes can have on workforce development in licensed professions.