In Baltimore, nursing students and educators are voicing concerns over the possible impact of a U.S. Department of Education proposal that could reshape the future of healthcare professionals. According to a report by WBAL-TV, the department is considering a move to stop recognizing nursing degrees as professional programs, a classification that affects federal student loan access.
This potential policy change is causing anxiety for current students and those contemplating careers in nursing. Practicing in a clinical lab, nursing students at the University of Maryland are sharpening their skills, unaware of the quiet storm brewing around their financial support. As one student, Jamie Kotler, returning to school for more professional training, said in a statement detailed by WBAL-TV, “So, it’s pretty upsetting for a lot of us.” Kotler has been nursing for over four years and is working towards a doctoral degree in nursing.
This reclassification would mean a hard cap on how much money students can borrow—$50,000 annually, with a $200,000 lifetime cap, for those in programs listed as “professional degrees.” In stark contrast, currently, students can borrow up to the full cost of attendance. However, the Department of Education suggests this policy is about curbing tuition costs, claiming 95% of nurses borrow less than the current cap permits, as reported by CBS News…