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119-hr-8659119th CongressWALLET

Nursing is a Professional Degree Act

Sponsored By: Representative Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

Introduced

Summary

Explicitly recognizes nursing degrees as professional degrees under the Higher Education Act. This bill would amend Section 455(a)(4)(C) to replace a prior cross-reference to the Code of Federal Regulations with a statutory, enumerated definition of “professional degree” that lists common degree titles and lets the Secretary of Education add other qualifying degrees.

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  • Nursing students and applicants: Would make degrees like MSN, DNP, DNAP, and Ph.D. in nursing explicit examples of professional degrees for Higher Education Act purposes.
  • Colleges and nursing programs: Would get a clear, written definition to use when applying federal rules about professional degrees.
  • Department of Education and the Secretary: Would remove the old CFR cross-reference and give the Secretary authority to determine additional degrees that meet the new statutory definition.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Which degrees count for student aid

This bill would change the Higher Education Act definition of "professional degree." It would remove a regulatory cross-reference and add a new statutory definition. A professional degree would have to prepare someone to begin licensed professional practice. It would also have to represent training beyond a bachelor's degree. The bill would list examples, including nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, DNAP, Ph.D.), medicine, law, and others. The Secretary of Education would be allowed to decide other degrees that meet the definition. If enacted, this would change how students and programs are classified for federal student aid and "professional student" rules. It would not itself set any new loan amounts or benefit levels.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

VA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 5/4/2026

  • Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 5/4/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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