ED RELEASES FINAL GRADUATE LOAN LIMIT RULE, POST-BACCALAUREATE NURSING PROGRAMS STILL EXCLUDED FROM

ED RELEASES FINAL GRADUATE LOAN LIMIT RULE, POST-BACCALAUREATE NURSING PROGRAMS STILL EXCLUDED FROM PROFESSIONAL DEFINITION

The Department of Education (ED) released May 1 the final rule implementing the federal graduate loan borrowing limits set by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). This rulemaking sets definitions for which graduate degree programs qualify as professional and graduate in determining what loan limits a student is eligible for-$50,000 annually and $200,000 in aggregate for professional programs and $20,500 annually and $100,000 in aggregate for graduate programs. This final rule implements definitions as set out in the proposed rule, published earlier this year, which excludes post-baccalaureate nursing programs from the professional degree limits. The American Nurses Association (ANA) strongly urged ED to recognize post-baccalaureate nursing programs as professional in our comment letter on the proposed rule, outlining the need for federal resources to ensure the next generation of nurse clinicians have the education and training to meet the changing needs of our healthcare delivery system.

ANA issued a statement expressing deep concern and disappointment with the provisions of the final rule, urging President Trump and Congress to fix this misguided approach to implementing the graduate borrowing limits. ANA is also determining what additional advocacy approach to pursue to ensure that nurses have access to the financial resources needed for advanced nursing degrees.