Washington is suing the US Department of Education over a new federal rule state officials say could make it harder for students pursuing nursing and other healthcare careers to access student loans.
Attorney General Nick Brown announced Tuesday that Washington joined a multistate lawsuit challenging a recently finalized Department of Education rule that narrows the federal definition of “professional degree” programs.
State officials argue the change unlawfully restricts access to higher federal student loan limits for students pursuing advanced healthcare and professional training programs that Congress intended to protect.
“Our state needs nurses and other healthcare workers, but this unlawful rule will make it much more difficult for Washingtonians to pursue professional degrees,” Brown said. “At a time of high healthcare costs, we must build a robust network of primary care providers, but this change will only exacerbate shortages in our state.”
The lawsuit marks the 60th legal challenge Washington has filed against the current federal administration, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
The dispute centers on legislation passed by Congress in July 2025 that created separate federal loan limits for graduate students and professional-degree students. Congress relied on an existing federal definition of “professional degree” when drafting the law.
But the lawsuit alleges the Department of Education unlawfully changed that definition by adding restrictions Congress never approved, potentially excluding several healthcare-focused programs from receiving higher loan limits.
Programs for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, and audiologists are among those excluded under the department’s revised definition, according to the complaint.
Washington officials say the change could worsen workforce shortages in healthcare and create major financial barriers for students already struggling with the cost of advanced education.
The Attorney General’s Office said the rule affects hundreds of students in Washington alone.
The University of Washington, Washington State University, and Western Washington University all offer nursing programs that could be impacted.
At UW, more than 360 students are enrolled in the school’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, along with another 75 students pursuing master’s nursing degrees, according to the lawsuit.
State officials warned the changes could disproportionately impact first-generation college students, students without co-signers, and those supporting families while attending school.
The lawsuit also challenges parts of the rule affecting students already enrolled in programs.
Congress included a grandfathering provision delaying the new loan caps for current students. But the lawsuit alleges some students could still lose protections if they transfer schools or temporarily leave and later return to their programs.
The coalition filed the lawsuit in US District Court in Maryland.
The case is being co-led by the attorneys general of Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, and New York. Washington joined alongside more than 20 other states and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
Want more local news? Follow Puget Press on Facebook.
