Federal officials on the loan‑cap committee announced they had reached a consensus on new regulations aimed at capping certain student loan benefits, framing the change as a step toward reducing college costs. Department sources described the outcome as a compromise designed to limit long‑term taxpayer exposure while preserving targeted relief. Administration officials celebrated the rule as a move to rein in borrowing and lower net tuition burdens, but higher‑education stakeholders and health‑sector employers cautioned the cap could reduce workforce pipelines into critical fields. Critics argue the regulation may make training for high‑cost professional programs less affordable and could create shortages in sectors like nursing and allied health. Universities and accreditation bodies are now assessing how the cap will affect program design, financial aid packaging, and recruitment; institutions with large professional cohorts are preparing contingency plans and lobbying for carve‑outs or phased implementation.