Washington, D.C. – A broad coalition representing professionals with degrees in nursing, counseling, public health, and education has united to challenge a new U.S. Department of Education (ED) policy that would unlawfully exclude a wide variety of professionals from adequate access to ED’s Direct Loan program – the single largest source of federal financial assistance for postsecondary education.
In a complaint filed today by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), National Education Association (NEA), Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), and American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the coalition is asking a court to block the rule, which violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The plaintiffs are represented by Democracy Forward and Jacobson Lawyers Group PLLC.
The ED’s redefinition of “professional” degrees excludes degrees in nursing, public health, education, marriage and family therapy, and other post-baccalaureate programs that prepare students for entry into critical professional programs that require specialized training.
“Throughout the rulemaking process, AANP repeatedly advised the Department of Education that this policy would create serious barriers for future nurse practitioners and worsen health care workforce shortages,” said AANP CEO Jon D. Fanning, MS, CAE, CNED. “Despite those concerns, the Department moved forward with a rule that limits access to federal student loans for graduate nursing students at a time when patients across the country are already struggling to access care. If fewer students are able to pursue nurse practitioner education, patients could face longer wait times, reduced health care options and greater difficulty accessing timely care. We are asking the court to protect the future health care workforce and the millions of patients who depend on nurse practitioners for care.”
“Recognizing nursing as a professional degree is critical to sustaining the nation’s nursing workforce and protecting the health of all Americans,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “Lowering federal student loan limits creates a barrier for nurses seeking to advance their education to fill essential clinical, research, and teaching roles. Diminishing the population of nurse faculty will have a direct impact on the ability of nursing schools to graduate enough RNs to mitigate the ongoing nursing shortage. If the Administration is truly committed to supporting nurses and meeting the nation’s healthcare needs, it must adopt federal policies that reflect these priorities and invest in nursing education.”
“Pediatric-focused advanced practice nurses are indispensable to the health and well-being of children, particularly in rural and underserved communities,” said Dr. Felesia Bowen, President of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. “Policies that make graduate nursing education less affordable ultimately jeopardize children’s health outcomes and weaken the pediatric workforce our nation urgently needs.”
“The Department of Education’s final RISE rule is a direct attack on the students and families who depend on strong public schools. Cutting access to federal student loans for aspiring professionals in the education field is reckless and deeply harmful, especially when students are already feeling the impact of educator shortages in communities across the country,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “Many educator roles require highly specialized post-graduate degrees and certification requirements to serve students effectively. Excluding education degrees from the federal government’s definition of ‘professional’ graduate degrees undermines the value of educators and discourages talented people from entering some of the most needed roles in the field. NEA will not stand by while policymakers create new financial barriers for future educators, especially students of color, first-generation college students, and those from working families who already face significant obstacles to entering the profession. Every student deserves qualified, committed educators, and our nation must strengthen the educator pipeline—not dismantle it.”
“At stake in this lawsuit is the future public health workforce. The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) has joined this suit on behalf of member institutions, their students, and the nation’s health. By restricting federal student loan limits for students pursuing graduate degrees in public health, this rule threatens the pipeline of future professionals who protect communities, respond to health crises, and improve health outcomes for everyone,” said Laura Magaña, PhD, President & CEO of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health.
“This issue extends beyond higher education and directly impacts access to mental healthcare in communities across the country,” said Christine Michaels, CEO of AAMFT. “At a time when Mental Health America reports there is only one mental health provider for every 350 individuals nationwide, additional financial barriers for future clinicians risk deepening workforce shortages and making it even harder for families and individuals to access timely care, particularly in rural and underserved communities.”
In July 2025, Congress enacted legislation that changed ED’s Direct Loan program, which eliminated one type of loan and imposed new borrowing limits on others. In the new law, Congress expressly preserved higher borrowing limits for students pursuing professional degrees. Months after the law was signed, and shortly before the new school year was about to begin, ED issued a new rule, “Reimagining and Improving Student Education—Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations,” which drastically narrows what is considered a “professional” degree for the purposes of federal student loans. This rule threatens to block thousands of students from entering critical professions, worsening existing healthcare shortages in nursing, counseling, public health, education, and other essential fields. The result will not only harm students and educational institutions, but also undermine access to vital healthcare, mental health, and educational services for communities across the country.
“This administration cannot unilaterally disqualify sectors of the workforce from vital financial aid – to not only deprive them of their dreams but also to deprive people in America who need their services,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “Democracy Forward is honored to work with this impressive coalition of nurses, educators, counselors, therapists, and other dedicated professionals to stop this unlawful and harmful attempt to target students and professionals. Together, we will fight for people and communities in America.”
“The Department’s decision to substantially narrow the programs subject to higher loan caps puts entrance to essential nursing, healthcare, therapy, and education professions out of reach for thousands of would-be students and undermines the professional programs themselves,” said Lynn Eisenberg of Jacobson Lawyers Group, PLLC. “We are proud to support this broad coalition of associations standing up for their members and for the future of these important professions.”
The case is American Association of Nurse Practitioners, et al. v. Linda McMahon, et al. The Democracy Forward team working on the case includes Joel McElvain, Tsuki Hoshijima, Ryan Cooper, Jennie Kneedler, and Elena Goldstein. The team at Jacobson Lawyers Group PLLC includes Daniel Jacobson, Lynn Eisenberg, and Nina Cahill.
Read the complaint here.
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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.
