Action Alert: Rulemaking on Graduate Program Lending Limits

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Dear WAICU Advocates,

This week, the Department of Education will convene the second negotiated rulemaking panel to discuss the definition of "professional" programs and graduate borrowing limits.

Under the OBBBA, Congress enacted changes to the federal graduate lending programs that will introduce new annual and lifetime student loan limits for graduate borrowers based on the type of graduate program in which a student enrolls. Students enrolled in "professional" graduate programs will be eligible to borrow up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 aggregate in federal loans, while students enrolled in all other graduate programs will have markedly lower borrowing limits of $20,500 annually and $100,000 aggregate.

Given the substantial differences between the borrowing limits, the question of what constitutes a “professional” program carries great significance.

Unfortunately, as the Department moves to implement OBBBA, the agency is proposing a narrow definition of professional programs that would exclude approximately 93% of graduate programs nationally that prepare nurses, engineers, architects, and other highly skilled professionals needed in every community.

Take action now to help advocate for graduate education for your campus community and assist in securing Wisconsin's workforce.

Current Actions

Action Alert: Rulemaking on Graduate Program Lending Limits