COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -As part of a new plan being finalized by the U.S. Department of Education, graduate-level nursing degrees would no longer be considered professional programs, a change nursing leaders say could limit federal financial aid for students pursuing master’s and doctorate programs.

Faculty at Pikes Peak State College say this would mainly affect students who plan to continue past their initial nursing degree into advanced-practice roles such as nurse practitioners, CRNAs and nursing educators. The reclassification is expected to take effect July 1, 2026.

If graduate nursing degrees are not labeled professional, the amount of federal loan support available to those students could drop, pushing many toward higher-interest private loans.

“Within the next two to th

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