A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Education Department from enforcing a proposed definition of which advanced-degree programs qualify for higher federal student-loan limits. The ruling prevents the department from excluding naturopathic medicine from the category of professional degrees covered by the larger cap.
U.S. District Judge Michael Simon concluded that the department exceeded its authority when it prepared to restrict federal borrowing for certain professional programs. The decision is the third ruling by a federal judge to block the administration’s plan, according to the report.
What the proposed limits would have done
The department planned to put the new borrowing structure into effect on July 1. Under the proposal, only 11 programs would have been treated as professional degrees. Dentistry and medicine were among the programs included, while nursing and social work were among those left out.
| Program classification | Proposed lifetime federal borrowing cap |
|---|---|
| Qualifying professional degrees | $200,000 |
| Other advanced-degree programs | $100,000 |
The difference would have been significant for students whose programs carry high tuition or require them to borrow for living expenses. The court’s order places a preliminary injunction on the department’s definition of “professional.” A preliminary injunction is a temporary court order intended to prevent a challenged policy from taking effect while litigation continues.
“imminent” — U.S. District Judge Michael Simon
Simon used that word when describing the potential harm to students and schools. Students are deciding whether they can afford to enroll for the coming academic year, the ruling said. The judge also ordered the department to treat naturopathic medicine as eligible for the higher borrowing limit.
Why colleges and students challenged the plan
The plaintiffs include colleges and students in naturopathic medicine. They argued that excluding the field could force students to turn to private loans to cover education costs. Private student loans often carry higher interest rates than federal loans and generally do not qualify for federal forgiveness programs, according to the allegations described in the case.
Naturopathic medicine associations also argued that the limits could reduce school revenue if prospective students decided not to enroll because they could not finance the programs. The court’s finding that the harm was imminent reflects the timing of enrollment and financing decisions, rather than a final determination on every issue in the lawsuit.
The ruling does not establish a permanent nationwide borrowing policy or resolve the broader dispute over the department’s authority. It instead prevents the proposed professional-degree definition from being applied at this stage and requires naturopathic medicine to receive the higher limit while the case proceeds.
The Education Department said in a Federal Student Aid notice that students should contact their schools to learn how the court ruling affects them. The notice reflects the department’s response to the injunction; the ruling itself concerns the proposed classification and the resulting federal borrowing limits.
- The proposed plan would have set a $200,000 lifetime cap for 11 designated professional-degree programs.
- Other advanced-degree programs would have faced a proposed $100,000 lifetime cap.
- A preliminary injunction requires naturopathic medicine to qualify for the higher borrowing limit while the case continues.
