FNA News, 28th June, 2026.
Nursing Remains a Professional Degree: Trump Administration Blocked in Stunning Court Defeat
Federal judge temporarily halts Education Department’s narrow definition that would have limited graduate nursing students’ access to higher federal loans
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration cannot proceed with its narrowed definition of “professional degree” under the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) rule, a decision that preserves access to higher federal loan limits for graduate nursing students.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell issued the temporary block on 25 June 2026, just days before the rule was scheduled to take effect on 1 July. The ruling directly addresses concerns raised by nursing organisations that the Department of Education had acted beyond its authority by excluding nursing from the higher borrowing tier.
Background to the dispute
The RISE rule implements changes to federal student loans introduced under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It establishes two borrowing categories for graduate students:
- Professional degree programmes: up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 in total.
- Other graduate programmes: $20,500 annually and $100,000 in total.
The Department of Education’s final rule limited professional degree status to a specific list of 11 fields and introduced additional restrictive criteria. Nursing programmes, including those leading to advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioner, certified registered nurse anaesthetist, and clinical nurse specialist, were excluded.
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Nursing organisations argued that this exclusion contradicted the broader definition of professional degrees previously used by the Department and recognised by Congress.
What the court decided
Judge Howell found that the Education Department exceeded its statutory authority by narrowing the definition of professional degree. The judge determined that Congress had incorporated the longstanding regulatory definition into law and did not grant the Department power to impose stricter criteria.
The block is limited in scope. It applies only to the definition of professional degree. Other elements of the RISE rule, including the phase-out of Grad PLUS loans for most new borrowers and the introduction of new repayment plans, remain scheduled to begin on 1 July 2026.
As a result, graduate nursing students may continue to access the higher annual and aggregate loan limits while legal proceedings continue.
Impact on nursing students
Current students already enrolled in graduate nursing programmes before 1 July 2026 retain protections under interim rules that allow them to borrow under previous limits for up to three years or until they complete their programme, provided they remain continuously enrolled.
New students starting programmes on or after 1 July will benefit from the higher limits during the period the court order remains in effect.
Nursing leaders have welcomed the decision as an important step in protecting access to advanced nursing education, particularly at a time when demand for nurse practitioners and other advanced practice providers continues to grow in both urban and rural communities.
Reactions from nursing organisations
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners and allied nursing groups, which brought legal action against the rule, described the ruling as a significant development for future nurse practitioners and patient access to care.
The American Nurses Association and state associations, including the Florida Nurses Association, have consistently argued that limiting loan access for graduate nursing education would undermine efforts to strengthen the nursing workforce and expand primary and specialty care services.
What happens next
The court order is temporary. The underlying litigation continues, and the Department of Education has indicated it is reviewing the decision.
Parallel legislative efforts are also underway. The House Appropriations Committee has advanced language in the fiscal year 2027 funding bill that would formally recognise advanced nursing programmes as professional degrees.
Nursing organisations are expected to continue both legal and legislative advocacy to secure a permanent resolution.
Analysis
This ruling highlights the tension between efforts to control federal student loan costs and the need to maintain a robust pipeline of advanced practice nurses. Graduate nursing education often involves substantial clinical training and higher costs, similar to other healthcare professions already recognised under the professional degree category.
Restricting access to federal loans risks reducing enrolment in these programmes, particularly among students from diverse or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Such an outcome would have direct implications for healthcare access in underserved areas.
The decision provides short-term relief for nursing students and programmes. However, the long-term outcome will depend on the final resolution of the court case and any legislative action by Congress.
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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
Kehinde Oluwatosin is one of the many editors here at Fellow Nurses Africa and fellownurses.com.
He is a registered nurse with a Master of Science degree in healthcare leadership from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. Kehinde is passionate about advancing the nursing profession across Africa. As Co-Founder of Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a key role in shaping editorial direction, ensuring our content educates, informs, and empowers nurses continent-wide.
With expertise in leadership, patient flow, and healthcare operations, Kehinde brings valuable insights to nursing news, career development, and policy discussions. He is committed to amplifying the voice of African nurses and driving positive change in the profession.
