NCC weighs in on federal education regulation implementation

AONL and 56 other members of the Nursing Community Coalition requested the Education Department’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education Committee explicitly include post-baccalaureate nursing programs in the regulatory definition of “professional degree programs” when implementing President Trump’s signature domestic policy law. The designation would enable post-baccalaureate nursing students to be eligible for higher loan amounts than under the “graduate degree” category. The NCC says post-baccalaureate nursing programs meet the regulatory definition of professional degree programs, which require an advanced degree and licensure. It says supporting educational pathways into post-baccalaureate nursing programs reduces barriers to enter the field, supports continuing nursing workforce needs and ensures patients can access high-quality health care. The NCC made the same request in an August letter. (NCC letter, 10/31/25)