STOCKTON, Calif. —

Students pursuing professional degrees in California are facing new financial challenges as changes to the federal Grad PLUS loan program will limit their borrowing capacity starting next year, raising concerns about access to education and the state’s health care workforce.

The program, implemented nearly 20 years ago, allows professional students in fields such as medicine and law to borrow up to the full cost of attendance. Beginning next year, borrowing will be capped at $50,000 annually and $200,000 total for professional programs. Current borrowers will be grandfathered in.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges , depending on the university and student, the median average cost of public medical school ranges over $250,ooo and over $350,000 f

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