What’s a professional graduate degree? Loan confusion reigns amid legal battle.

By: Shauneen Miranda

Outlets: DC Bureau (States Newsroom)

Published: July 9, 2026

Words: 739

Last Updated: 1 week, 6 days ago

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WASHINGTON — Students pursuing several advanced degree programs can now access higher loan caps, but the temporary relief has ushered in a wave of uncertainty amid an ongoing legal battle.

Graduate-level programs such as nursing, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology are, for now, considered “professional” degrees by the U.S. Department of Education after a court order in late June halted the agency’s new “professional” definition while a legal challenge unfolds.

That definition had limited the …

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