WASHINGTON, D.C. — On March 2, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon urging the Department of Education to reconsider finalizing a proposed rule that would reclassify nursing degrees as non-professional and narrow federal student loan eligibility.

“Since the beginning of the second Trump Administration, the Department of Education has implemented several changes that have effectively dismantled pathways to higher education, weakened oversight and student protections and reshaped nearly every corner of the nation’s education system. Thousands of Pennsylvanians who have invested their time, effort and hard-earned money to achieve graduate degrees in essential fields, like nursing, have had their student loan repayment thrown into total chaos by the Department’s shortsighted actions and policies,” wrote Senator Fetterman.

The Department’s proposed reclassification would limit total borrowing to $100,000 for most graduate programs and $200,000 for professional degree programs. This would drastically reduce critical financial assistance for students, making these programs inaccessible to otherwise qualified students.

Pennsylvania is estimated to face a nursing shortage of more than 20,000 nurses this year. These shortages disproportionately affect rural and underserved communities, where nurses are often the primary or sole point of access to care. Access to education is a key component of meeting growing demands, and anything that threatens the development of a robust nursing workforce threatens access to care in the communities they serve.

“An effective education system cannot rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Students deserve a lending system that reflects the full range of educational goals and the evolving needs of our nation. Further, students deserve the opportunity to pursue careers that reflect their skills, interests, and aspirations. I urge the Department to reconsider finalizing this proposed rule and to reevaluate the reclassification of professional degree programs and associated borrowing limits,” continued the Senator.