WASHINGTON — The Department of Education has excluded nursing from its definition of "professional degree" programs as it implements student loan changes under President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a move nursing organizations warn could worsen the nation's healthcare staffing crisis.

The reclassification affects federal loan limits for graduate nursing students beginning July 1, 2026, when students pursuing master's, doctorate and other advanced nursing degrees will face significantly lower borrowing caps than those in fields still designated as professional programs.

Under the new rules, students in recognized professional degree programs can borrow up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 total. Graduate students in programs not classified as professional, including nursin

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