Graduate Student Loan Limits Redefined, Excluding Key Degrees

The "One Big, Beautiful Bill" Act has introduced a stark disparity in student loan limits for graduate students, bifurcating them into 'professional' and non-professional categories. Starting July 1, 2026, the aggregate loan cap for most graduate programs will plummet to $100,000, while those deemed 'professional'—such as medicine, law, and pharmacy—will enjoy a $200,000 ceiling. This reclassification sidelines critical fields like nursing, social work, and engineering, raising concerns about affordability and access.

Critics argue the policy overlooks the societal value of excluded degrees. Nurses and social workers, already grappling with workforce shortages, now face additional financial barriers. The Department of Education's narrow definition of 'professional' risks exacerbating talent gaps in essential services, where advanced degrees are increasingly mandatory.

The MOVE reflects a broader trend of financial stratification in higher education. While Wall Street-backed professional programs secure generous funding, public-serving disciplines are left to navigate austerity. This could accelerate a brain drain from mission-driven fields to corporate-aligned professions.