U.S. Government Alters Classification of Architecture, Education, and Nursing Degrees from Professional to Non-Professional
Beginning July 1, 2026, a significant alteration in the availability of student loans will influence students in architecture, education, and several healthcare sectors. As part of Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, these areas will be redefined and will no longer be seen as professional degrees, resulting in lower borrowing limits for students enrolled in these fields. The alterations made by the Department of Education signify a major shift from past loan frameworks.
The forthcoming Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will take the place of existing loan systems, capping graduate students’ borrowing potential at $20,500 per year and $100,000 in total, while “professional students” will be eligible to borrow as much as $50,000 each year, with an overall limit of $200,000. This marks a stark contrast to the former model that allowed for borrowing up to the entire cost of obtaining a degree.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has strongly opposed these changes, disputing the classification of architects as non-professionals. They emphasize that the designation of “architect” is attained through rigorous education and licensure, and the new borrowing constraints may discourage future architects and weaken America’s standing in the profession.
The healthcare industry is also affected, with disciplines such as nursing, physical therapy, and social work being reclassified as non-professional degrees. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has raised alarms, asserting that stripping nursing of its professional title could severely compromise the already overburdened healthcare workforce.
The details regarding which degrees will be impacted are still being evaluated and may shift before the policy takes effect. Reports indicate that disciplines like engineering, counseling, speech pathology, and business management could also face the loss of their “professional” status, restricting loan access for students aiming to enter these fields.