Last Day to contact the U.S. Department of Education regarding Nursing as Professional Degree Proposed Rule

The Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association asks YOU (especially ANPA members) to email your public comment to the Department of Education (DOE) regarding proposed rules that will 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 released a proposed rule that excludes Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) programs in the definition of professional degree programs.

If finalized as written, this change significantly reduces 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