119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 8691
This bill amends the Higher Education Act to officially recognize nursing degrees as professional degrees for federal student loan purposes. Currently, nursing master's and doctoral degrees such as the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and PhD in Nursing are not classified as professional degrees under federal law, which affects the loan repayment options available to nursing students. The legislation adds nursing degrees to the list of recognized professional degrees that already includes medicine, law, dentistry, pharmacy, and other advanced professional fields, placing them on equal footing with these other professions. This change would allow nursing students to access specific student loan repayment plans designed for professional degree holders. The bill does not include specific funding amounts or implementation timelines but directs the Secretary of Education to determine whether any other degrees meet the criteria for professional degree status.