In a move that has stunned the healthcare community, the U.S. Department of Education has redefined its classification of a "professional degree," explicitly excluding nursing.
Effective July 1, 2026, this reclassification means that Master’s and Doctoral nursing degrees will no longer qualify for the "professional" student loan limits that apply to fields like medicine and law.
The ripple effect
Under the new rule, only advanced degrees on a narrow list—including M.D., J.D., Pharm.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., chiropractic, and theology, among others will retain higher federal loan limits ($50,000 annually / $200,000 aggregate).
However, graduate students in "non-professional" fields, now including nursing, physical therapy, education, and social work, will be capped at:
- $20,500 per year
- $100,000 aggregate lifetime limit
The shift has alarmed health‑care professionals and educators nationwide. Nursing associations warn that it will exacerbate the already severe nursing shortage by reducing access to graduate training and deterring students from entering these critical fields.
The World Health Organization (WHO) already estimates a global shortage of 4.5 million nurses and 310,000 midwives by 2030. Critics argue that deterring students from graduate training with stricter loan caps will only worsen this crisis and could destabilize the very sectors—healthcare, social work, and education—that are most essential to community infrastructure.
What happens next?
As the 2026 deadline approaches, thousands of students and professionals are watching closely—some considering alternative funding paths, while others are demanding that the Department of Education reconsider its narrow definition of “professional degree.”
Until the language is clarified, students in these fields face uncertainty about their eligibility for federal loans, making it difficult for them to plan for graduate education and professional advancement.
Take control of your career. While federal policies shift, your value as a nurse remains undeniable. If you are looking to maximize your earnings or find more flexible opportunities during these uncertain times, download the Nursa app to find high-paying per diem shifts in your area today.
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