Trump Admin’s List: Degrees No Longer Considered “Professional”
Under President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the Department of Education is implementing changes to student loan reimbursement, with the “Repayment Assistance Plan” (RAP) replacing previous programs. A key factor in determining reimbursement is whether a degree is considered “professional,” leading to concern as several degrees, including nursing, are excluded from the list. This reclassification could significantly impact students pursuing these degrees, as they may receive less financial aid, potentially deterring them from entering high-demand professions and possibly exacerbating workforce shortages. Various stakeholders are criticizing the exclusion of these professions, arguing it contradicts the traditional understanding of “professional” and could have detrimental effects on public health and other critical sectors.
John Q. Hosedrinker