Education Department Updates Professional Degree List Again: More Nursing Programs Qualify
Federal student loan limits expanded for nursing and clinical psychology students.
1Update Summary
The Department of Education has updated its professional degree list for the second time, expanding coverage for nursing and clinical psychology programs. This change allows students to access higher federal student loan limits. Technical issues that could have excluded MSN and DNP students were resolved.
2Loan Limit Changes
Effective July 1, 2026, professional students can now borrow up to $50,000 per year and $200,000 total, while graduate students are capped at $20,500 per year and $100,000 total. This update provides students with greater access to federal loans for covering educational expenses.
3Nursing Program Adjustments
The update ensures that all MSN and DNP programs under four-digit CIP codes are included. This prevents students from being excluded from higher loan limits due to technicalities. Nursing students now have better financial support options.
4Clinical Psychology Correction
Ph.D. clinical psychology programs, initially 'inadvertently excluded,' have been added to the list. This correction ensures parity between Ph.D. and Psy.D. students. Clinical psychology students can now also benefit from higher loan limits.
5Temporary Status and Next Steps
These updates are temporary. The Department of Education continues to defend its original narrow definition in court, and the list 'may change as litigation proceeds.' Schools may consider capping loans at graduate levels to protect students from future changes.
6Recommendations for Students
Students in affected programs are advised to monitor updates at StudentAid.gov/bigupdates. These changes offer significant opportunities for covering educational costs, but their temporary nature should be kept in mind.