Nurses and health care workers from across Pennsylvania are warning residents about theTrump administration’s attempt to make it harder for college students to obtain nursing and other advanced medical degrees.
Thanks to changes in Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” the US Department of Education redefined “professional degree” programs for those who will be eligible for federal loans. Under the law, nursing will no longer be considered a professional degree, thereby limiting loan eligibility.
The changes cap government-backed loans for non-professional degrees at $20,500 annually or $100,000 over the course of the degree, while those obtaining a professional degree would be eligible for loans up to $50,000 per year, or $250,000 over the course of the degree.
“This proposal shows a fundamental misunderstanding of what it takes to provide safe patient care,” Maureen May, RN, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), said in a statement.
“Advanced practice nurses keep emergency rooms running, staff primary care clinics, deliver babies, provide anesthesia, and support entire hospital units. Blocking nurses from the financial support they need to pursue advanced degrees won’t just hurt the nurses, it will hurt patients.”
For all of our nurses or medical professionals out there, drop me a line at seankitchen@couriernewsroom.com if you or a loved one will be affected by these changes or let me know how this would have impacted your education.
