On May 1, 2026, the Department of Education issued its final rule severely restricting the loan amounts available to post-baccalaureate nursing students by excluding nursing from the definition of professional degrees. We need Congress to take action to correct this harmful decision. If not corrected, this exclusion will have direct financial, workforce, and public health implications as nursing students may face the decision to take out high-interest private loans or abandon advanced practice education altogether.

In response to the release of the Department of Education’s final rule, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), along with Representatives Joyce (R-OH-14), Bergman (R-MI-01), Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Bacon (R-NE-02), introduced H.R.8691, Nursing is a Professional Degree Act. A Senate companion bill is expected to be introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) soon. This bill includes nursing programs in the statutory definition of professional degrees to ensure that our post-baccalaureate nursing students have the resources that they need to serve patients across the country.

Please email your Representative and Senators today to make them aware of this development and to ask them to cosponsor and pass the Nursing is a Professional Degree Act.

We appreciate your immediate action as we advocate for this vital legislation. Please make your voice heard today!