Making Sense of the Student Loan Changes and Professional Degree Definition

Policy just moved the goalposts on graduate borrowing. We invited Jill Desjean, Director of Policy Analysis at NASFAA, to break down the new federal definition of “professional degree,” why it leans on a legacy program list, and what that means for loan limits, affordability, and access to care.

We walk through the exact criteria the Department of Education is using, how Congress pointed the rulemaking toward classifications like medicine and dentistry, and why allied health fields with licensure and clinical preparation can still be left out. From there, we connect the dots: lower federal loan caps could push more students toward private loans, weaken access to income-driven repayment, and complicate eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. 

Jill brings a clear, practical lens to advocacy—what makes a persuasive public comment, how to work with professional associations, and why stories from clinics, schools, and hospitals matter as much as data. We also surface concrete risks like mid-program financing gaps and discuss ways policymakers could align financing with workforce needs, from updating eligible program lists to safeguarding completion for students in shortage fields. 

About NASFAA 

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is the only national, nonprofit association with a primary focus on information dissemination, professional development, and legislative and regulatory analysis related to federal student aid programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Their membership consists of more than 29,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every 10 undergraduates in the United States.

Positions and Advocacy Efforts

As a nonpartisan organization, NASFAA works closely with lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. Their advocacy efforts are guided by 10 core principles that reflect our belief that the purpose of student financial aid is to ensure everyone has equal access to postsecondary education. Most often, NASFAA advocates in two separate arenas: in the context of reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and in the budget and appropriations process. Learn more about our policy positions and our advocacy efforts.

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