Nursing is a Professional Degree Act

Jennifer A. Kiggans

Republican · VA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Jack Bergman (R-MI-1)Original· 2026-05-04
• Joyce Beatty (D-OH-3)OriginalWithdrawn· 2026-05-04

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

2026-05-04

Source: Congress.gov

The proposal would change how the government defines "professional student" under federal higher education law, which affects which graduate and professional degree programs qualify for federal student aid and loan programs. This change could expand or limit which students pursuing advanced degrees in fields like medicine, law, or other professions can access federal financial assistance. The specific impact depends on how the definition is being modified, which would be determined during the committee review process.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8659 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8659 To amend the definition of a professional student in the Higher Education Act of 1965. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 4, 2026 Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia (for herself, Mrs. Beatty, and Mr. Bergman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the definition of a professional student in the Higher Education Act of 1965. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Nursing is a Professional Degree Act''. SEC. 2. PROFESSIONAL STUDENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEGREE DEFINED. Section 455(a)(4)(C) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(a)(4)(C)) is amended-- (1) in clause (ii), by striking ``, as defined under section 668.2 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this paragraph),''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(iii) Professional degree.--In this paragraph, the term `professional degree'-- ``(I) means a degree that signifies both completion of the academic requirements for beginning practice in a given profession (for which professional licensure is also commonly required) and a level of professional skill beyond that normally required for a bachelor's degree; and ``(II) includes each of the following degrees: ``(aa) Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). ``(bb) Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.). ``(cc) Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.). ``(dd) Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.). ``(ee) Law (L.L.B. or J.D.). ``(ff) Medicine (M.D.). ``(gg) Optometry (O.D.). ``(hh) Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (D.O.). ``(ii) Podiatric Medicine/ Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., or Pod.D.). ``(jj) Theology/Theological Studies (M.Div. or M.H.L.). ``(kk) Clinical Psychology (Psy.D. or Ph.D.). ``(ll) Nursing (MSN, DNP, DNAP, or Ph.D). ``(mm) Any other degree that meets the requirements of subclause (I), as determined by the Secretary.''. <all>

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