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Department of Education Proposes Redefinition of “Professional Degree,” Excluding Nursing and Limiting Graduate Loan Borrowing

Client Alert
February 20, 2026

In response to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) recently announced several federal student-loan related changes, including redefining what the Department considers to be a “professional degree”. Nursing is one of several degrees excluded from the list.

The Department issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for “Reimagining and Improving Student Education” on January 30, 2026. The public is invited to submit comments on the proposed rules by March 2, 2026. 

The professional degrees recognized under OBBBA are as follows:

  • Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
  • Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.)
  • Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
  • Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.)
  • Law (L.L.B. or J.D.)
  • Medicine (M.D.)
  • Optometry (O.D.)
  • Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
  • Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., or Pod.D.)
  • Theology (M.Div., or M.H.L.)

The Department also seeks to eliminate the Grad PLUS program that currently affords graduate students the ability to borrow up to the full cost of attendance. Students in professional degree programs will be limited to borrowing $50,000 per year with up to $200,000 over their lifetimes. Meanwhile, for students in graduate programs not deemed to be a “professional degree” program, the borrowing limits will be $20,500 per year with a $100,000 lifetime cap.

The Under Secretary of Education, Nicholas Kent, stated the proposed changes “will help drive a sea of change in higher education by holding universities accountable for outcomes and putting significant downward pressure on the cost of tuition.” Further, Under Secretary Kent believes “[t]his will benefit borrowers who will no longer be pushed into insurmountable debt to finance degrees that do not pay off.”

If you would like assistance drafting comments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed changes, or you want to learn more about how the borrowing restrictions may impact you, please contact BMD Member Jeana Singleton at jmsingleton@bmdllc.com or Attorney Kate Crawford at khcrawford@bmdllc.com.

HealthcareEducationJeana SingletonKate Crawford
Client Alert

Corporate Transparency Act Ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court

January 24, 2025The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled on the enforceability of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), lifting an injunction previously imposed by the Fifth Circuit. However, a separate nationwide injunction remains in effect, meaning businesses are still not required to comply with the CTA’s reporting requirements. FinCEN continues to accept voluntary reporting while enforcement remains paused.Client Alert

Lead Paint Contamination and Resources for Ohio Landlords

January 20, 2025Children are exposed to lead-based paint, which was used in most homes until it was banned in the US in 1978 and “can severely damage the brain and central nervous system causing coma, convulsions and even death.” Property owners and landlords should educate themselves on regulations and resources to mitigate their own liability.Client Alert

Will Student-Athlete Collectives Survive NIL Changes?

January 20, 2025By July 2025 the landscape of student-athlete funding will look nothing like the current landscape, so preparing now is a must. If you are a student-athlete, the parent of a student-athlete, a university/college, or “booster”, it behooves you to understand these evolving issues.Client Alert

Ohio's Recent Rule Changes to Administration of Immunizations, Outpatient Pharmacy Delivery, and Mobile Response Services

January 20, 2025The Ohio Board of Pharmacy (“BOP”) and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (“OMHAS”) recently posted notices of Ohio Administrative Code rule changes related to the administration of immunizations (BOP), outpatient pharmacy delivery services (BOP), and mobile response and stabilization services (OMHAS).Client Alert

HOA Construction Project Do’s and Don’ts

January 20, 2025Local regulators can approve new construction, but if a resident contacts their homeowners association there may be trouble. Fences, yard alterations, and backyard decks do not have to be such a hassle and a point of conflict. Find out general Do’s and Don’ts to help HOA residents avoid issues in this article by BMD Partner Scott Heasley.
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