This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Towson chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
By Adwoa Ampofo
In a move that has sparked widespread concern, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) is
proposing a major rule change that would remove several graduate-level degrees from its
definition of “professional degree.” Under the new framework tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill
Act (OBBBA), many of these programs would face significantly tighter federal student loan limits a shift that could reshape access to critical careers in education, health, social work, and more.
Here’s what’s going on and why it matters so deeply for college students, high schoolers
considering their futures, and the broader workforce.
What Is Actually Changing?
- The Department of Education is proposing to narrow its regulatory definition of
“professional degree,” dramatically reducing the number of programs that qualify. - According to the current proposal, only a small number of professions would
maintain the “professional” designation. - That matters, because under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, “professional
students” (i.e., those in recognized professional-degree programs) can borrow more from
federal student loans than students in other graduate programs. - Specifically, starting July 1, 2026:
- Professional-degree students could borrow up to $50,000/year and $200,000
lifetime. - Other graduate students would be capped at $20,500/year and $100,000 lifetime.
- In addition, the Grad PLUS loan program would be eliminated for future
borrowers after July 1, 2026.
Degrees at Risk: What’s Being Reclassified
While there’s not yet a final, universally agreed-upon public list, multiple professional
organizations and news outlets report that the following graduate degree programs are at risk of losing their “professional” status under the ED’s proposed rules: - Education (including master’s in teaching)
- Nursing (MSN, DNP, and other advanced nursing degrees)
- Social Work (MSW, DSW)
- Public Health (MPH, DrPH)
- Physician Assistant programs
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Audiology
- Speech-Language Pathology (speech therapy)
- Counseling and Therapy degrees
- Business master’s programs
- Engineering master’s programs
Why This Is Harmful: The Stakes for Students and Society
- Devaluing Critical Professions
By excluding these degrees from the “professional” category, the policy sends a disturbing
signal: that careers in nursing, social work, education, and allied health are somehow less
professional. These are not only highly skilled fields they are essential to public health,
community well-being, and societal infrastructure. - Deepening Equity Gaps
This change disproportionately affects students from underrepresented and lower-income
backgrounds. Many people entering these fields are:
- Women (e.g., nursing, social work, education)
- First-generation college students,
- Black, Latino, and other underrepresented students.
By limiting access to affordable loans, the policy could push these students toward taking on
riskier private loans — or deter them from entering these vital professions altogether.
3. Loan Caps Gap
Only students in degrees still designated as “professional” would qualify for the higher federal loan limits. That means:
- Those in reclassified fields face a big funding gap, especially since Grad PLUS
loans are being eliminated. - Many of these programs are expensive (especially advanced or clinical
master’s/doctorates), so the reduced borrowing power could make it financially unfeasible for
some students.
2. Undermining Workforces in High-Need Areas
These reclassified programs train workers who are often on the frontlines:
- Nurses, physician assistants, and allied health professionals serve rural,
underserved, and historically marginalized communities. - Social workers and public health professionals are critical in addressing mental
health, community health, and systemic inequities. Reducing access to their training could
worsen existing worker shortages.
3. Widening Disparities for Underserved Communities
If fewer people can afford to train in these fields, the impact will be most felt in communities that already struggle with limited access to high-quality health care, education, and social services.
Who This Hits the Hardest
- Women: Many of the affected fields (nursing, social work, education, speech
pathology) are female-dominated. - Lower-income students: They rely more heavily on federal loans and aid.
- First-generation students: Losing access to higher borrowing limits can make
advanced degrees unreachable. - Black, Latino, and other underrepresented students: These communities are
already underrepresented in many professions; cuts to loan access risk making those gaps
even worse. - Students entering lower-paying but essential fields: Professions like social work
or public health often don’t offer the same financial return as medicine or law, so students rely
on loan access to invest in their education.
What High Schoolers and Current Undergrads Should Know - If you’re planning grad school, this proposed change could affect how much
federal financial aid you can get depending on your field. - Think strategically about timing: Because the changes would take effect July 1,
2026, students applying for graduate programs might need to lock in their borrowing strategy
now. - Advocate: These are not just bureaucratic changes they could reshape who can
afford to enter critical professions. Reaching out to your college’s financial aid office,
professional associations, or even your members of Congress could help. - Explore alternative funding: Scholarships, employer tuition programs, or
service-based loan repayment may become even more important for students in these
reclassified fields.
Bottom Line
This proposed policy from the Department of Education isn’t just paperwork it could have real, long-term consequences. By redefining which degrees count as “professional,” the change threatens to undermine access to essential careers in health care, education, social work, and more. If enacted, it could disproportionately impact women, lower-income students, and underrepresented communities and make it harder to build a diverse, resilient, and capable workforce in the fields we need most.
Want to make your voice heard? Consider following updates from national organizations (like the American Nurses Association or the National Association of Social Workers) and keep an eye on public comment opportunities during the rulemaking process.