A federal court order temporarily expanded which health profession degree programs qualify as “professional” degrees under the U.S. Department of Education’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) final rule while a lawsuit challenging the rule proceeds.
A coalition of health care organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the Department of Education’s exclusion of several advanced health profession degrees from the definition of “professional degree.” The lawsuit argues the department’s definition exceeds its statutory authority and could make it more difficult for students to pursue careers in healthcare.
As a result of the court’s temporary injunction, the Department of Education has temporarily classified the following programs as professional degrees:
Students in these programs may now qualify for the higher federal unsubsidized loan limits available to professional students, as long as the injunction remains in effect.
The ruling does not pause implementation of the broader RISE final rule. Other provisions, including the elimination of the Grad PLUS loans, new annual and lifetime federal loan limits and new repayment plan requirements, remain in effect.
The MHA previously submitted comments to the Department of Education expressing concerns about the proposed definition of “professional degree” and its potential impact on the health care workforce.
Members with questions may contact Lenise Freeman at the MHA.
Phone: (517) 703-8601
Fax: (517) 703-0628
