A federal judge rules that graduate programs including nursing and physical therapy regain a “professional” designation for purposes of federal student loan limits, after blocking part of a Trump administration rule that previously set lower caps for certain fields. As a result, students pursuing qualifying graduate degrees in nursing, physical therapy, and several other related areas become eligible to borrow up to the higher loan limits that apply to “professional” programs, at least for now.
The ruling also affects what programs are covered. While nursing and other eligible fields benefit from the designation restoration, theology is specifically excluded: theology programs are dropped from the “professional” category following the judge’s decision. The outlets agree that the changes stem from the court’s intervention in the administration’s prior attempt to lower borrowing limits for graduate students.
Overall, the decision modifies the federal student loan framework for graduate students by reinstating higher caps for certain professional programs, while narrowing eligibility by removing theology from the category.
