Raleigh -- July 9, 2027: Graduate students studying to become advanced-practice nurses and other specialized medical providers will keep their full federal borrowing limits for the upcoming school year. The U.S. Department of Education recently confirmed that these students will retain their professional degree status while federal courts review the agency's disputed policy changes.
The pause on the new rule comes as North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson continues his legal challenge against the education department. Jackson sued to block the agency from narrowing the definition of a professional degree, arguing that the unauthorized change would financially devastate the state's pipeline of essential healthcare workers.
The conflict stems from congressional action taken last year to cap federal graduate loans. Congress intentionally set higher borrowing limits for professional degrees, explicitly writing nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and physician assistants into that higher-tier category.
Despite this clear directive from lawmakers, the Department of Education attempted to remove these crucial medical roles from the professional classification. Had the policy gone into effect on July 1, advanced nursing and healthcare students would have seen their federal loan eligibility instantly cut in half compared to other professional degree seekers.
Because a judge issued a preliminary stay in a related case, the department has been forced to suspend the rule until the litigation is fully resolved. Jackson praised the temporary halt, noting it provides immediate financial relief for nursing students planning their fall semesters and reinforces his commitment to protecting North Carolina's medical workforce.