schools
Nursing gains 'professional' label for student loans after judge's ruling, but theology now dropped
By Collin Binkley, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 29, 2026
· 4 min read
Students pursuing graduate degrees in nursing, physical therapy and several other fields will be eligible to take out higher federal student loan amounts — at least for now — after a federal judge blocked part of a Trump administration rule that held them to lower limits.The U.S. Education Depart...
Key takeaway Education Department issued a revised rule on Monday designed to follow the judge's order from last week, officials told The Associated Press.
Why this matters in Magnolia News
For students in Montgomery County, particularly those pursuing graduate degrees in nursing at local institutions, the revised rule brings a temporary reprieve. With the federal judge's ruling, nursing students can now access higher federal student loan amounts, which could be a significant factor in their ability to complete their studies. This change may have a direct impact on the local healthcare workforce, as nursing students who might have otherwise been deterred by lower loan limits can now continue their education. However, the exclusion of theology studies programs from the list of professional programs may affect local seminaries or institutions that offer such degrees, potentially limiting the financial options for their students. As the case continues to unfold, local students and institutions will be watching closely to see how the definition of "professional programs" is ultimately settled, and how it will affect their access to federal student loans.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Magnolia News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Students pursuing graduate degrees in nursing, physical therapy and several other fields will be eligible to take out higher federal student loan amounts — at least for now — after a federal judge blocked part of a Trump administration rule that held them to lower limits.The U.S. Education Depart...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Magnolia News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Collin Binkley, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Magnolia News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from Magnolia News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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