AG Weiser and AG Brown led a coalition of 24 attorneys general and two governors in suing the U.S. Department of Education over a new final rule that would significantly limit federal student loan access for graduate students in critical health professions.

The rule that takes effect July 1, 2026, caps federal student loans for most graduate students at $20,500 per year and $100,000 total. Students pursuing certain professional degrees may borrow up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 total. Congress defined professional degree broadly as a degree that signifies completion of the academic requirements for beginning practice in a profession and a level of professional skill beyond a bachelor’s degree. While Congress provided 10 examples, including medical and law degrees, it made clear that professional degrees are “not limited to” those examples.

The Education Department’s rule would instead treat that list as exclusive, adding only clinical psychology. As a result, graduate programs in nursing, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, and other essential health fields would be excluded from higher loan eligibility limits.

“Communities throughout Colorado, especially in rural and underserved areas, need highly trained healthcare professionals to provide needed care. Congress made clear that professional degrees are not limited to a short list drafted decades ago. But this rule unlawfully limits student loan access for needed professions, including healthcare.” – AG Weiser