The question “did Trump reclassify nursing” has received a definitive answer: yes — under the administration of Donald Trump the federal designation of nursing programs as “professional degrees” has been removed, thereby changing access to federal student-loan borrowing and loan-forgiveness eligibility for advanced nursing students.
Table of Contents
What Happened?
In November 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced that graduate nursing programs—including nurse practitioner tracks—will no longer count as “professional degrees” for federal student-aid purposes. Previously, programs designated as “professional degrees” qualified for higher borrowing caps; now nursing has been placed in the lower tier reserved for standard graduate-level programs.
Starting July 1, 2026, new borrowers in nursing graduate programs may face annual borrowing limits of roughly $20,500 and lifetime caps of about $100,000, rather than the $50,000 annual / $200,000 lifetime amounts available for traditional “professional” programs like medicine or law.
Why It Matters
Financial Impact
The reclassification means:
- Graduate nursing students lose access to higher federal borrowing limits.
- Some loan-forgiveness and repayment plans tied to professional-degree status may no longer apply.
- Prospective nurses may face greater reliance on private loans, scholarships, or alternative funding sources.
Workforce Implications
This change comes amid a nationwide nursing shortage. Advanced nursing education is a key pipeline for nurse practitioners, nursing faculty and leaders. Under the new rule:
- Fewer students may enroll in high-cost graduate nursing programs.
- Nursing schools could struggle to attract or retain faculty with doctoral credentials.
- Rural and underserved communities may face deeper provider deficits if fewer advanced-practice nurses enter the field.
Regulatory Definition Shift
The rule change clarifies that, under the federal regulation’s definition of “professional degree,” programs like medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law and veterinary medicine are explicitly included — while advanced nursing and related health-care professional programs are excluded. This constitutes a formal change in how nursing is classified for federal student-aid programs.
Timeline Overview
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov 20–21, 2025 | Department of Education publishes change excluding nursing from “professional degree” classification. |
| July 1, 2026 | New borrowing-limit rules applicable to incoming graduate nursing students take effect. |
What Nursing Students and Educators Should Know
- If you are already enrolled in a graduate nursing program prior to July 1, 2026, verify whether you qualify under older borrowing and aid rules.
- If you plan to start a nursing graduate program after that date, anticipate stricter federal loan limits.
- Explore alternative funding: scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement, state-level programs.
- Monitor efforts by nursing organizations advocating to restore “professional degree” status for nursing, as the classification may yet be challenged or revised.
- Understand that the change may affect career pathways: advanced education, faculty roles, and leadership positions could become less accessible for some prospective nurses.
Final Thoughts
The answer to “did Trump reclassify nursing” is unambiguous: yes. The Trump administration’s higher-education policy redefined “professional degree” for federal student-aid purposes—and nursing was excluded. This has immediate financial implications for graduate nursing students and long-term workforce implications for U.S. healthcare.
We’d love to hear your perspective: if you’re a nursing student or educator, how will this change affect your plans?