US EditionTrump administration plan to reduce access to some student loans angers nurses, health care groups
The proposal would cap federal loans for many graduate nursing students at $100,000, limiting funding access and potentially worsening the nursing shortage, critics say.
- Recently, the U.S. Department of Education proposed redefining 'professional student' programs, excluding graduate nursing degrees and reshaping loan eligibility with public comment early next year and implementation July 1, 2026.
- The department says the draft complies with President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, and Department of Education leaders relied on the 1965 law and negotiated rule-making committee 'RISE' to define professional programs.
- Under the proposal, professional-program borrowers could access $50,000 per year, while many nursing students face lower caps of $20,500; Kennedy warned `our education can be $150,000 to $200,000`.
- Nursing leaders say the proposal will worsen shortages and raise costs for students, with ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy warning it will reduce primary care providers and nurse educators; the department said students already enrolled would be grandfathered, with new caps effective next July.
- Critics note the exclusions disproportionately affect fields dominated by women, raising equity concerns, as the Trump administration ties the move to its One Big Beautiful Bill while the Department of Education press office cites historical precedent.
47 Articles
47 Articles
Nurses Outraged as Trump Bill Dumps Them From 'Pro' List
A Trump administration proposal to exclude nursing from the list of professional degrees eligible for higher student loan limits is facing backlash from nursing advocates, who warn it could worsen the nation's nurse shortage by restricting access to education. The new policy, part of the GOP-backed law known as the...
New limits on school loans could narrow physician and nurse pipeline, educators warn
Under new Trump administration rules, students won't be able to borrow as much for medical or nursing school or some other health professions. (Image credit: Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union/Hearst Newspapers)
Trump administration plan to reduce access to some student loans angers nurses, health care groups
A coalition of nursing and other health care organizations are angry over a Trump administration plan that could limit access to student loans in some cases. Students pursuing…
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