U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the list of graduate programs considered 'professional' to 29 fields following a court order halting its previous definition, which had limited eligibility for higher loan caps to 11 fields. The agency defends its original definition as 'lawful' amid legal challenges, causing uncertainty for students and institutions about loan limits.

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the definition of 'professional' graduate degrees to 29 fields, including nursing and occupational therapy, following a court order halting its previous narrower definition. The agency maintains its original definition is lawful while legal challenges continue, causing uncertainty for schools and students.

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the list of graduate programs classified as 'professional' to 29 fields after a court halted its previous definition, allowing higher loan limits for students in these programs. However, the department maintains its original definition is 'lawful' and warns institutions to prepare for potential changes during ongoing litigation.

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the list of graduate programs classified as 'professional' to 29 fields after a court order halted its new definition, which had excluded programs like nursing. The agency maintains its original definition is 'lawful' but schools face uncertainty over loan limits amid ongoing litigation.

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the list of graduate programs classified as 'professional' degrees to 29 fields after a court order halted its previous definition, which excluded nursing and similar programs. The department maintains its original definition is 'lawful' but acknowledges the temporary classifications may change as the legal challenge proceeds, causing uncertainty for students and institutions.

A court order temporarily halted the U.S. Department of Education’s new 'professional degree' definition, expanding eligibility for higher loan limits to 29 fields including nursing, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. The department maintains its original definition is 'lawful' but acknowledges the temporary classifications may change as the legal challenge continues.

The U.S. Department of Education temporarily expanded the list of graduate programs classified as 'professional' degrees to 29 fields following a court order, reversing a prior definition that excluded programs like nursing. The department maintains its original definition is lawful but acknowledges the temporary classifications may change as litigation continues, creating uncertainty for students and institutions.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education's new rule narrowing the definition of 'professional degree' to 11 fields, which would have imposed stricter federal loan caps on graduate students in excluded fields like nursing and teaching. The judge ruled the department likely exceeded its authority, but did not block the loan caps themselves, which are statutory. The decision followed lawsuits from groups representing nursing, education, public health, and physician assistant programs.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education's new definition of 'professional' degrees, which would have imposed stricter federal student loan caps on fields like nursing. The ruling, by Judge Beryl Howell, found the definition likely narrower than Congress intended, halting the provision before its scheduled implementation. The decision impacts the Trump administration's overhaul of federal student loan policies.

A federal judge blocked part of a Trump administration plan to limit federal student loans for graduate programs in nursing, physical therapy, public health, and other fields. The ruling paused new loan caps of $100,000 for 'graduate' programs and $200,000 for 'professional' degrees, which excluded nursing and related fields. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners and other groups argued the policy would force students to take private loans or abandon education.

A federal judge blocked part of a Trump administration plan to limit graduate student loan amounts for fields like nursing and public health. The ruling paused updated definitions of 'professional degree' that excluded certain groups from higher loan caps, which were set to take effect in July. The Education Department is reviewing the decision, and another lawsuit challenging the loan caps remains pending.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education's new definition of 'professional' degrees, which would have imposed lower student loan caps on fields like nursing, teaching, and social work. The ruling halts a key part of the Trump administration's student loan overhaul, citing the rule as likely contrary to congressional intent.

A federal judge blocked the U.S. Department of Education's new definition of 'professional' degrees, which would have imposed lower loan caps on graduate programs like nursing. The ruling halts the rule before its July 1 implementation, calling it overreaching and inconsistent with Congressional intent, but allows other loan caps to proceed.