The U.S. Department of Education published an updated list of professional degree programs that qualify for higher federal graduate loan limits. After a federal judge put the department’s earlier definition of “professional programs” on hold, Education moved to use the statutory definition while litigation continues. As a result, the number of graduate programs treated as professional degrees rose from 11 to 29, including three nursing degrees. Students in programs labeled professional can borrow up to $50,000 per year and $200,000 over a lifetime, while other graduate students face lower caps. The department also signaled that designations are administrative and may change as the legal fight proceeds. It advised institutions to consider setting program-level loan limits, a provision enabled by the same “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” reforms taking effect July 1, to mitigate disruption for students. Financial aid offices will need to re-map degree programs to loan rules quickly, especially for nursing and other professional pathways that affect graduate enrollment and budgeting decisions.