A federal policy shift has removed graduate nursing programs from a professional degree classification, altering student loan eligibility. This revision, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act advanced by the Trump administration, eliminates Grad PLUS loans and imposes a cap on Parent PLUS borrowing. Consequently, students in nursing and physical therapy can no longer access the higher loan limit of 200,000 dollars previously available for professional programs.
Antonia Villarruel, Dean of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, condemned the move as detrimental to national health. The American Nurses Association echoed this concern, asking officials to rethink the definition and cautioning that it would reduce healthcare access in vulnerable communities. Healthcare leaders further contend that failing to recognize these advanced roles devalues the necessary training and may shrink the future workforce.
Antonia Villarruel, Dean of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, condemned the move as detrimental to national health. The American Nurses Association echoed this concern, asking officials to rethink the definition and cautioning that it would reduce healthcare access in vulnerable communities. Healthcare leaders further contend that failing to recognize these advanced roles devalues the necessary training and may shrink the future workforce.
