U.S. Education Department Expands Professional Degree List for Federal Student Loans Following Court Ruling

The U.S. Department of Education has broadened its definition of programs eligible for professional-degree status under federal student loan rules, increasing the number of CIP-coded programs from 11 to 29. This change, effective after a June 24, 2026, federal court ruling, allows more graduate students, particularly in healthcare disciplines, to qualify for higher federal borrowing limits of up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 total.