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New Federal Graduate-Loan Caps Begin as Nursing Groups Sue Over Exclusions
The Department of Education's RISE rules limit annual borrowing to $20,500 for most graduate students starting Wednesday while allowing $50,000 for 11 listed professional degrees. The American Nurses Association and nine other groups filed suit challenging the framework.
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New federal borrowing caps under the Department of Education's RISE rules took effect Wednesday, limiting most graduate students to $20,500 per year while preserving a $50,000 annual threshold for an exclusive list of 11 professional degrees. Stat reported that the American Nurses Association and nine other national nursing organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the rules.
The framework distinguishes between standard graduate programs and the listed professional degrees.
Aspiring chiropractors qualify for the higher limit, while advanced practice nurse practitioners and physician assistants fall under the $20,500 cap. Stat reported that 27 states and the District of Columbia permit nurse practitioners to practice independently. Graduate debt represents more than one-third of the federal student loan portfolio, according to the Department of Education.
Stat reported that the vast majority of professional students rely on federal loans, with only 5 to 10 percent using private options. Modern tuition and living expenses for nurse practitioner programs regularly exceed $40,000 annually. Stat reported that Medicare beneficiaries attributed to primary care nurse practitioners incurred 21 to 34 percent lower average costs than those attributed to physicians.
The U.S. physician shortage is projected to reach between 13,500 and 86,000 physicians by 2036.
