ANPA requests you contact the regarding the U.S. Department of Education Professional Degree Proposed Rule

The Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association is asking Nurse Practitioners & supporters (namely ANPA members) to email a public comment to the Department of Education (DOE) regarding proposed rules that would limit federal student loan funds for graduate nursing education to $20,500 annually ($100,000 lifetime), compared to higher levels of $50,000 annually ($200,000 lifetime) for other professions. Although advanced practice nursing meets established criteria for a profession, the DOE is classifying it as a graduate, not a professional, degree.

The U.S. Department of Education has released a proposed rule that does not explicitly include Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) programs in the definition of professional degree programs.

If finalized as written, this change could significantly reduce federal student loan access for APRN students under the new limits established by H.R. 1 (The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025).

This is not simply a student finance issue; it is a workforce and patient access issue.

Follow this link to submit your comment now: https://www.votervoice.net/ANPR/Campaigns/134600/Respond