Education Department Finalizes Loan Limits, Faces Legal Challenges from Academic Groups
The Trump administration has finalized new regulations that impose loan limits on postbaccalaureate degree programs, potentially affecting access to higher education for many students. The new rules replace the Grad PLUS program, which allowed graduate students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, with caps of $20,500 per year or $100,000 in total for graduate students, and $50,000 per year or $200,000 in total for professional students. The Education Department has defined 'professional' narrowly, limiting it to 11 specific degree programs, excluding others like physician assistant programs. This decision has prompted several trade associations, including the American Academy of Physician Associates, to announce plans to challenge the rule in federal court, arguing it exceeds executive authority and contradicts legislative intent. 
