Call to Action: Protect Nursing Education Funding

The U.S. Department of Education is proposing a new definition of “professional” degree programs, but nursing is not yet explicitly included. This omission could have significant consequences for how nursing programs are classified, supported, and funded at the federal level. By way of background, H.R. 1, which was passed in July, set forth new statutory limits for degrees classified as “graduate”— they will only be eligible for a $20,500 annual limit and a $100,000 lifetime limit in federal student loans (not including undergraduate federal student loans). However, “professional” degree programs will be eligible for a $50,000 annual limit and a $200,000 lifetime limit. It is important to note that H.R. 1 also removed the Grad PLUS federal student loans, which makes these limits impact on future nurse practitioner students, and the communities that rely on nurse practitioners for critically needed access to care even more drastic.

Nurses and nurse practitioners must make our voices heard!

We are urging the Department of Education to explicitly include nursing in the definition of “professional” degree programs to ensure our profession receives the recognition and support it deserves.

Take Action Today:

Sign the petition and tell the Department of Education that nursing must be included. Your signature helps protect graduate nursing education, strengthen the profession, and ensure the future nursing workforce is supported.

Together, we can make a meaningful impact, Add your name to the petition and share your story HERE

Additionally, the AANP Advocacy Center has an easy tool to send an email to your members of Congress. It can be found HERE.