The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently clarified which graduate programs qualify as “professional” for higher federal loan limits under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Almost immediately after ED made its decision, social media lit up with claims certain careers such as teaching and nursing had been “removed” or that ED was claiming those careers were not professions. The online reaction was partially warranted. This decision, which is still pending and may change following a public comment period, has direct implications for prospective graduate students who need to borrow money to finance their training. By extension, this decision could also impact the universities that offer graduate programs and the supply of new workers into affected occupations.
