Urgent Update: Education Department Redefines ‘Professional’ Degrees

UPDATE: The U.S. Department of Education has just announced a controversial reclassification of what constitutes a “professional” degree, impacting student loan reimbursement amounts. Under new measures stemming from President Donald Trump‘s One Big Beautiful Bill, many degrees—particularly in high-demand fields—will now be excluded from receiving essential financial support, raising alarms among students and educators alike.

This urgent decision, effective from July 2026, means students pursuing degrees in critical professions, including nursing, will struggle financially. The ramifications of this policy shift could significantly reduce the number of new professionals entering the healthcare field, exacerbating existing workforce shortages.

Previously, students in professional degree programs could access higher loan limits under the Grad PLUS program. However, under the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), annual loan limits will be capped at $20,500 for graduate students and $50,000 for professional students, potentially hindering many from pursuing their education.

Critics are voicing serious concerns over the exclusion of essential programs. According to the education news outlet Inside Higher Ed, degrees not recognized as “professional” now include nursing, physician assistants, physical therapists, and audiologists. Other excluded fields encompass engineering, business master’s, counseling, and social work, which have been argued as vital to the workforce.

The American Nurses Association has launched a petition urging the Department of Education to reconsider nursing’s classification as a professional degree, emphasizing its importance in maintaining the healthcare workforce. “Excluding nursing from the definition of professional degree programs disregards decades of progress,” stated the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). They stress that this exclusion undermines efforts to ensure a robust healthcare system.

With college tuition costs soaring—rising 30 percent in the last decade alone—this policy could deter many from entering these professions. According to NPR, the average tuition for both public and private colleges has doubled over the past 30 years, making financial support more crucial than ever.

Amy McGrath, a U.S. Senate candidate from Kentucky, criticized the Department of Education’s decision on social media, questioning how a theologian could be deemed more professional than a nurse practitioner. “Limiting who can pursue advanced degrees in critical professions will only deepen the workforce shortages we’re already facing,” she warned.

With the new regulations set to reshape the landscape of higher education funding, students, educators, and advocates are left anxiously awaiting further developments. The potential impact on healthcare, education, and other vital sectors could be profound, prompting widespread discussions about equity and access to professional education.

What Happens Next? As stakeholders rally against these changes, the Department of Education is expected to face increasing pressure to revise its definitions and policies. The situation remains fluid, and developments are anticipated in the coming months as advocacy groups mobilize to protect access to education for students in essential fields.