Two Ohio nursing programs are being cited as early examples of how federal limits on student borrowing could affect clinical and graduate professional programs. Reporting shows each program responded differently to tighter loan availability—underscoring that financial‑aid constraints can shift enrollment patterns, staffing, and program capacity in workforce‑critical fields. Higher‑ed finance officers and nursing deans should treat the Ohio cases as a warning: programs with high clinical costs or extended time‑to‑practice may see enrollment dips if alternative financing options are not put in place. State policymakers and institutions will need coordinated contingency plans to prevent workforce shortages in health professions if federal borrowing caps are enacted.