Federal Loan Caps Add Barriers — And Likely Debt — for Healthcare Students

The government will cap how much graduate students may borrow in federal loans. The new policy could leave many at the mercy of private lenders with higher interest rates. The borrowing limits will affect students pursuing expensive healthcare careers, and some worry they may impede efforts to diversify the healthcare workforce.

By: Lauren Sausser

Outlets: KFF Health News

Published: July 28, 2026

Words: 173

Last Updated: 6 days, 11 hours ago

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The federal government is capping the amount graduate students can borrow. The Department of Education says the new rules are designed to help curb student debt and pressure schools to lower tuition. But some loan experts fear those good intentions could leave many at the mercy of private lenders with higher interest rates. Saddling healthcare graduate students with pricier debt burdens can narrow their career choices.

KFF Health News correspondent Lauren Sausser joined WAMU’s …

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