graduate student loans

A federal judge blocked part of a Trump administration plan that would have limited access to loans for students pursuing graduate degrees in nursing, physical therapy, public health, and other fields. The decision affects graduate students in those disciplines by maintaining their loan eligibility.

A federal judge has blocked part of a Trump administration plan that would have limited access to loans for students pursuing graduate degrees in nursing, physical therapy, public health and some other fields.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon faced criticism during a House hearing over new federal student loan limits for graduate and professional programs, including nursing and teaching. The changes, stemming from a Republican tax and spending bill, impose annual and aggregate borrowing caps, with 'professional' fields like medicine receiving higher limits. Lawmakers argued the policy makes higher education less accessible for non-professional degree programs.

The Trump administration's Department of Education has issued unclear guidance on whether graduate student loans are included in a new borrowing limit set to take effect this summer. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators criticized the reversal in stance by the DoE, causing confusion for financial aid administrators.