Nursing as a Professional Degree
Currently, the Department of Education may use 1960s-era definitions of “professional” and “graduate” degrees to determine loan limits. This action stems from an intent to curb student loan debt and tuition costs as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Unfortunately, if the department uses these definitions, post-baccalaureate nursing students would only be eligible for half the amount of federal loans as graduate medical students.
The American Nurses Association is collecting signatures on a petition asking the Department of Education to include nursing in its proposed ‘professional degree’ program definition.
Published November 21, 2025.
