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Education Department Finalizes New Graduate Loan Caps, Limits Access to Certain Programs

Education Department Finalizes New Graduate Loan Caps, Limits Access to Certain Programs

The Education Department has finalized regulations that establish new loan limits for postbaccalaureate degrees, maintaining a limited definition of 'professional' programs. This decision allows only 11 specific degree programs, such as pharmacy, dentistry, and law, to access the highest federal loan amounts of $50,000 per year and $200,000 in total. Other programs are categorized as 'graduate,' with access limited to $20,500 per year or $100,000 in total. This move follows President Trump's signing of the loan caps into law last summer, with the department crafting detailed regulations since then. Despite significant public pushback, the department argues that their approach provides a clearer boundary than other suggested methods.
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President Trump's Education Department Implements New Student Loan Caps Affecting Graduate Borrowers

President Trump's Education Department Implements New Student Loan Caps Affecting Graduate Borrowers

The Department of Education under President Trump has finalized a significant overhaul of the federal student loan system, introducing new borrowing caps for graduate and professional students. The changes, set to take effect on July 1, include a $100,000 lifetime cap for graduate students and a $200,000 cap for professional students. The overhaul also eliminates the Grad PLUS program, which previously allowed students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance. The new rules have sparked concerns among students and advocates, who fear that the caps may push students towards private lenders or force them to abandon their educational pursuits. The Department of Education argues that these changes will prevent students from accumulating unmanageable debt and encourage educational institutions to control tuition costs.
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Trump Administration Finalizes Federal Student Loan Caps, Impacting Graduate Borrowers

Trump Administration Finalizes Federal Student Loan Caps, Impacting Graduate Borrowers

The Trump administration has finalized new federal student loan caps as part of a broader overhaul of the student loan system. Starting July 1, 2026, graduate students will be limited to borrowing $20,500 annually and $100,000 in total, while professional students in fields like medicine and law can borrow up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 in total. The changes eliminate the graduate PLUS loan program, which previously allowed borrowing up to the full cost of attendance. Despite pushback from various stakeholders, the administration maintained a narrow definition of professional degrees, excluding fields such as social work and nursing. The Department of Education argues that these changes will help students access education without excessive debt and encourage institutions to reduce costs.
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Trump Administration Finalizes Student-Loan Repayment Overhaul with New Caps and Plans

Trump Administration Finalizes Student-Loan Repayment Overhaul with New Caps and Plans

The Trump administration has finalized a comprehensive overhaul of student-loan repayment plans, set to take effect on July 1. The Department of Education's new rule introduces borrowing caps of $100,000 for graduate students and $200,000 for professional students, narrowing the definition of 'professional' to 11 specific programs. The overhaul also includes the elimination of the Grad PLUS program and the introduction of new repayment plans. These changes are part of a broader effort to prevent students from incurring unmanageable debt, though they have raised concerns about potential impacts on students' ability to finance their education.
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Department of Education Implements New Student Loan Repayment Overhaul Affecting Borrowers

Department of Education Implements New Student Loan Repayment Overhaul Affecting Borrowers

The Department of Education, under President Trump's administration, has announced a comprehensive overhaul of the student loan repayment system, set to take effect on July 1. This new rule introduces significant changes, including the elimination of the Grad PLUS program and the establishment of new borrowing caps for graduate and professional students. Specifically, a $100,000 lifetime cap for graduate students and a $200,000 cap for professional students have been set, with the definition of 'professional' narrowed to 11 programs such as law, medicine, and dentistry. This change excludes previously eligible programs like postgraduate nursing. Additionally, the department is capping Parent PLUS loans at $20,000 annually. A new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will replace existing income-driven repayment plans, setting a minimum monthly payment of $10, which is less generous than current plans.
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Private Lenders Prepare for Federal Borrowers Amid Trump's Student Loan Repayment Overhaul

Private Lenders Prepare for Federal Borrowers Amid Trump's Student Loan Repayment Overhaul

Private Lenders Prepare for Federal Borrowers Amid Trump's Student Loan Repayment Overhaul
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Department of Education Investigates Stanford for Alleged Civil Rights Violations

Department of Education Investigates Stanford for Alleged Civil Rights Violations

The Department of Education has initiated a civil rights investigation into Stanford University. The investigation centers on allegations that access to Stanford's National Board Resource Center is determined by skin color rather than merit. This program assists aspiring teachers in achieving top certification levels. The department contends that such selection criteria may violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in federally funded programs.
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Community Colleges Face Challenge in Promoting Workforce Pell Program to Students

Community Colleges Face Challenge in Promoting Workforce Pell Program to Students

The Workforce Pell program, signed into law by President Trump as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, 2025, aims to provide federal financial aid for short-term educational programs. This initiative is designed to help students, particularly working adults, access training programs that lead to family-sustaining wages without incurring significant debt. The program is set to be implemented on July 1, 2026, and is expected to benefit approximately 187,000 students annually with average awards of $2,200. However, there is a significant gap in awareness among potential beneficiaries, as many are unaware that such financial aid is available for short-term programs. Community colleges are tasked with the challenge of reaching out to this new audience, which includes individuals who have previously ruled out training due to financial constraints.
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Survey Reveals Nearly Half of College Students Would Choose Homeownership Over Education

Survey Reveals Nearly Half of College Students Would Choose Homeownership Over Education

Survey Reveals Nearly Half of College Students Would Choose Homeownership Over Education
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Portage High School Students Explore Diverse Health Care Careers Through Hands-On Experience

Portage High School Students Explore Diverse Health Care Careers Through Hands-On Experience

Portage High School students recently participated in an educational program designed to expose them to various health care careers beyond the traditional roles of doctors and nurses. The students toured St. Mary Medical Center and Northwest Health Porter hospitals, followed by a visit to Ivy Tech Community College’s Valparaiso campus. Here, they engaged in practical exercises such as simulated surgeries and wound care, under the guidance of instructors like Marsha Eriks and Kimberly Martinez. The program, sponsored by Portage Economic Development Corp., aims to broaden students' understanding of health care professions, including roles like surgical technologists and medical assistants. The initiative is part of a broader effort to prepare students for high-demand jobs, supported by the state's Next Level Jobs program, which covers tuition for relevant courses.
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Nursing Education Adapts to Address Workforce Shortages with New Training Models

Nursing Education Adapts to Address Workforce Shortages with New Training Models

Nursing education is undergoing significant changes to address workforce shortages, with new training models being implemented to attract more individuals into the profession. The global nursing workforce faces a shortfall of 4.5 to 5.8 million professionals, with projections indicating a gap of 11 million health workers by 2030. In response, universities and healthcare providers are exploring alternative pathways, such as direct entry MSN programs for non-nurses, which combine graduate study with clinical training in a shorter timeframe. These programs are designed for career changers and those needing flexibility, allowing individuals with degrees in other fields to transition into nursing. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including faculty shortages and limited placement availability, which hinder the rapid expansion of training capacity.
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GPhC Proposes One-Year Registration Route for Overseas Pharmacists in Great Britain

GPhC Proposes One-Year Registration Route for Overseas Pharmacists in Great Britain

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has opened a consultation on a proposed one-year postgraduate diploma route for internationally qualified pharmacists to register in Great Britain. This new pathway would replace the current two-year requirement, allowing pharmacists from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland to complete a year-long program of integrated academic and practical learning before taking the GPhC's registration assessment. The proposal aims to streamline the registration process while ensuring pharmacists are well-prepared to meet the healthcare needs in Great Britain.