A lawsuit challenging the Education Department’s graduate student loan cap implementation is set to continue until at least December, according to a court schedule agreed by plaintiffs and the government. The case includes the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and other healthcare organizations arguing that ED’s definition of “professional degree programs”—used to determine eligibility for higher loan caps—contradicts the statutory definition Congress used. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia judge, Beryl A. Howell, placed ED’s updated definition on hold last month, finding the department lacked authority to adopt a different program definition than what the law specified. In response, ED released a list of 29 programs considered professional while the litigation continues. Plaintiffs plan to file for summary judgment by Oct. 2, seeking a decision without a full trial. They also have an opportunity to amend their complaint after a July 30 deadline, and the timetable could shift if ED issues new guidance. For graduate education administrators and student aid offices, the practical risk is ongoing uncertainty in borrower eligibility and counseling guidance, especially for clinical and allied health graduate programs.