Entering nursing school may become increasingly challenging for prospective students following recent actions by the U.S. Department of Education and the passage of President Donald Trump’s legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” These changes are expected to significantly affect how nursing students finance their education and could have long-term implications for the healthcare workforce.

Under the new policy direction, the Department of Education will no longer recognize nursing as a professional degree program, a classification that directly influences student loan eligibility and borrowing limits. As a result, students pursuing nursing degrees—particularly at the graduate level—may face reduced access to federal funding, making it harder to afford education in a field already struggling with workforce shortages.

According to the Association of American Universities, the bill, which was signed into law in July, introduces a lifetime borrowing cap of $100,000 for graduate students and $200,000 for students in professional degree programs. Annual borrowing limits are also affected: graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 per year, while professional students are capped at $50,000 annually.

Compounding these restrictions, the legislation will eliminate Grad PLUS loans starting July 1, 2026. These loans have long served as a critical financial resource for students whose tuition and living expenses exceed what standard federal aid covers. Without Grad PLUS loans, many nursing students may be forced to rely on private loans or abandon advanced education altogether.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has strongly criticized the legislation. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, president of the ANA, warned that the bill could have serious consequences for the healthcare system at large.

“At a time when healthcare in our country faces a historic nurse shortage and rising demands, limiting nurses’ access to funding for graduate education threatens the very foundation of patient care,” Kennedy said.

The controversy largely stems from how the federal government defines a “professional degree.” When the regulatory definition was first established in 1965, it explicitly listed fields such as law, medicine, and veterinary medicine, while noting that the list was “not limited to” those examples. Nursing, however, was never specifically mentioned, leaving its classification ambiguous for decades.

This omission is now shaping how borrowers are categorized under the updated rules. The Department of Education has clarified its position, stating that nursing was never intended to be included under the professional degree designation.

“The Department has had a consistent definition of what constitutes a professional degree for decades, and the consensus-based language aligns with this historical precedent,” said Ellen Keast, the Department’s press secretary for higher education, in an email statement. “The committee, which included institutions of higher education, agreed on the definition that we will put forward in a proposed rule.”

She added that some institutions are overstating the impact, arguing that “their unlimited tuition ride on the taxpayer dime is over.”

Cost of Nursing Education

The financial burden of nursing education varies widely depending on the program and institution. According to NurseJournal.org, entry-level certifications such as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can cost between $600 and $2,000. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) typically ranges from $3,000 to $17,000 per year, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can cost anywhere from $6,000 to over $60,000 annually.

Graduate programs are even more expensive. Tuition for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) may begin around $12,000 but can exceed $100,000, particularly at private institutions. Public universities generally offer more affordable options, but access remains limited for many students.

Enrollment and Workforce Impact

The scale of the issue is substantial. Data from the American Nurses Association indicates that more than 260,000 students are currently enrolled in entry-level BSN programs, with an additional 42,000 students pursuing ADN degrees. Any reduction in financial accessibility could discourage future enrollment and worsen existing staffing shortages in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.

Updated Definition of Professional Degrees

Under the Department of Education’s revised definition, professional programs now include fields such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, law, veterinary medicine, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, chiropractic, theology, and clinical psychology. Programs for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists, and audiologists have been explicitly excluded.

Critics argue that excluding advanced nursing roles from professional degree status ignores the extensive clinical training, licensing requirements, and essential public health contributions nurses provide.

As one observer put it, the changes are “a perfect recipe for a public health disaster,” especially at a time when the nation’s healthcare system is already under strain.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify nursing’s historical classification under federal regulations and to include comment from the U.S. Department of Education.