1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I’m writing to urge you to oppose any action that would allow the Department of Education to remove Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) degrees from professional degree status, which would drastically reduce the federal student loan availability for these programs. This proposed reclassification would have serious consequences for students, healthcare systems, and the public. Why This Change Would Be Harmful 1. It would worsen the national healthcare provider shortage. Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Clinical Nurse Specialists play a critical role in addressing provider gaps—especially in rural and underserved communities. Limiting access to graduate nursing education through restrictive loan caps would drastically reduce the number of students able to pursue these careers. This would directly worsen the primary care and mental health provider shortages our communities are already facing. 2. It creates inequitable barriers to entry for working-class and first-generation students. Most APN students are working nurses who rely on federal loans to afford graduate education. If loans are capped or reduced, only wealthy students—or those with access to private credit—will be able to enter these advanced roles. This creates a two-tier system that excludes the very people who make up the backbone of the nursing workforce. 3. It undermines public health and patient care access. Removing APN degrees from professional status sends a message that these degrees are not critical healthcare professions, despite the fact that advanced practice nurses are essential for chronic disease management, emergency care, maternal health, and mental health services. Reduced enrollment will translate directly into fewer providers and longer wait times for patients. 4. Private loans are not a safe or realistic alternative. Unlike federal loans, private loans: • have higher interest rates, • offer weaker repayment protections, • lack income-driven repayment options, and • are often inaccessible for applicants without excellent credit or cosigners. Pushing nursing students away from federal loans increases the risk of financial hardship and deters qualified individuals from continuing their education. 5. The change contradicts national healthcare priorities. Federal and state legislators have consistently emphasized expanding access to care, strengthening mental health services, and improving maternal outcomes. Restricting access to APN education runs counter to all of these goals, as these roles directly fill the gaps created by physician shortages. 6. It devalues the nursing profession as a whole. APN programs require rigorous clinical hours, national certification exams, and advanced scientific coursework. They are undeniably professional degrees. Reclassifying them undermines the expertise, safety, and autonomy of the nursing profession at a time when nurses are already overextended. What I’m Asking I respectfully request that you: • oppose any reclassification of APN degrees that removes them from professional status, and • urge the Department of Education to preserve full federal loan eligibility for all advanced practice nursing programs. Protecting access to APN education means protecting patient care, rural healthcare access, and the future of our healthcare workforce. Thank you for your time, your service, and your attention to this critical issue. I would appreciate hearing your position on this matter.