Tri-Council Urges Nurses to Comment on DoE Rule

AONL and other members of the Tri-Council for Nursing are urging nurses to submit comments on the Department of Education’s proposed rule requesting the inclusion of post-baccalaureate nursing degrees specifically in the list of professional degrees. The proposed rule, released last week, excludes post-baccalaureate nursing programs from the professional degree designation. If finalized, the decision would mean that nursing students enrolled in master’s programs, DNP and PhD programs would be eligible for up to $100,000 in federal loans instead of $200,000. The Tri-Council says the loan cap would make it more difficult for post-baccalaureate nursing students to finance their education, resulting in reduced student enrollment and threatening the future of the nursing workforce. Nurses must submit comments on regulations.gov by March 2. (TriCouncil for Nursing news release, 2/4/26)