In a recent Inside Higher Ed article examining lawsuits filed by state attorneys general and professional associations over the Education Department’s plan to limit postbaccalaureate student loans, Thompson Coburn partner and Higher Education practice co-chair Tres Cleveland offered insights into what institutions may see happen next.
The Department’s Final Rule narrows the definition of “professional degree” under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to exclude several healthcare and other professional programs from higher federal loan limits Congress established for professional students. The lawsuits argue the Department exceeded its statutory authority.
In the article, Tres noted, “I would be surprised if there was not some type of injunction that would limit this rule coming into effect.” He said that while it seems unlikely federal loan access for graduate students will be cut off entirely, it’s also unclear what scenario will result.
“We’ve definitely talked about, and have already started preparing institutions” for potential circumstances, he added.
Read the full article here.
Read our additional recent coverage on this ongoing litigation:
- Nurse Associations and Others Also RISE Up in Second Lawsuit Challenging Department of Education’s Final ‘Professional Degree’ Rule
- Twenty-Five States Plus D.C. ‘RISE’ Up in Lawsuit Against the Department of Education Over New Rule’s ‘Professional Degree’ Definition
- Higher Education Litigation Summary: May 2026
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