Dean's Update on Federal Student Loan Ruling

To the Columbia Nursing community,

I am reaching out to make sure you are aware of the new regulations that were issued on April 30 by the Department of Education. They include new loan limits for postbaccalaureate nursing degrees and changes in how students must repay their loans. Effective July 1, 2026, this final ruling will exclude nursing from “professional degree” programs, significantly limiting federal loan support for those interested in pursuing a graduate nursing education.

This decision will have far-reaching consequences for the health of the country—of course for patients far and wide, especially the underserved, and also for our nursing workforce. It will impact the affordability of a graduate nursing education for future students for whom an advanced nursing degree is out of reach, compounding an already tapped-out nursing workforce. In addition, it will worsen the existing severe shortage of faculty to teach, mentor, and inspire generations of nurses to come.

While this policy change was not unexpected, our school’s leadership is extremely disappointed in the final outcome, which was made despite concerted input from nurses and our allies all across the country. We stand in support of the AACN’s statement on the changes, as well as statements from the numerous other health care professionals and organizations nationwide who have voiced their dismay and concern. The CUIMC Office of Government Affairs has coordinated closely with the CU President’s Office to advocate on this issue and will continue to do so.

Further information about the changes we can expect to 2026-27 federal student loans is available through CU’s Student Financial Services at this link, including an inquiry intake form for specific questions about these changes and accessing loans.

We will continue to share information as it becomes available.

Lorraine Frazier, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dean, Columbia University School of Nursing
Mary O’Neil Mundinger Professor of Nursing
Senior Vice President, Columbia University Irving Medical Center