Summary
The Trump administration has changed a policy that affects how nursing students can get federal loan money, by excluding nursing from the list of professional degrees. The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) argues that this change will make the current healthcare crisis worse by reducing the number of people able to enter the nursing profession. The policy change involves replacing the Grad PLUS loan program with a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
Key Facts
- The Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the state.
- The Trump administration removed nursing from the list of programs considered as "professional degrees."
- This decision impacts how nursing students get reimbursed for student loan payments.
- The MNA claims this change will worsen the healthcare workforce shortage.
- Over 260,000 students are enrolled in entry-level nursing programs in the U.S.
- Nursing is seen as one of the most trusted professions in the country.
- The new federal loan plan, Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), caps the annual loan amount for new borrowers.
- The change excludes certain healthcare professions from federal loan eligibility, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
