Position Statement from the National Association of Family Nurse Practitioners (NAFNP): Ensuring Fair Access to Federal Student Loans for Future Family Nurse Practitioners

November 25, 2025

The National Association of Family Nurse Practitioners (NAFNP) represents Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) nationwide who provide high-quality primary care, preventive services, and chronic disease management in every care setting, from major academic centers to rural and underserved communities. As a vital part of the primary care workforce, FNPs ensure timely and equitable access to care for millions of Americans.

NAFNP is deeply concerned about the Department of Education’s ongoing rulemaking under the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee. The proposed definition of “professional degree” excludes post-baccalaureate nursing programs, including FNP programs. This change would sharply limit federal loan eligibility for FNP students and undermine the future stability of the FNP workforce.

FNP education is rigorous, clinically intensive, and unequivocally professional in scope. FNP programs require advanced graduate-level coursework, supervised clinical training, national certification, and licensure aligned with professional practice standards. FNPs independently assess, diagnose, prescribe, and manage acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan, responsibilities that mirror those of other federally recognized professional degree providers. They are primary care clinicians who deliver comprehensive, continuous care in every setting, including communities with profound provider shortages. The depth of clinical preparation and the scope of practice required of FNPs place these programs firmly within the category of professional clinical education.

Under the current proposal, FNP students would be classified as “graduate” rather than “professional” degree students. This would cap federal borrowing at $20,500 per year and $100,000 lifetime, far below the $50,000 per year and $200,000 total permitted for recognized professional programs. This disparity places an unnecessary financial barrier on aspiring FNPs, many of whom are working nurses, parents, or first-generation college graduates who depend on federal loans to pursue advanced practice education. Restricting access to federal aid will push students toward costly private loans or prevent them from enrolling altogether, further straining an already inadequate primary care workforce.

As the Department prepares to release a formal proposed rule, NAFNP urges policymakers to acknowledge that FNP programs are professional clinical programs and must be classified as such. Excluding FNP education from the definition of “professional degree” is inconsistent with the clinical rigor of these programs and with the nation’s urgent need for primary care providers.

NAFNP calls on the Department of Education to revise the definition of “professional degree” to explicitly include post-baccalaureate nursing programs, including FNP programs. We also urge Members of Congress to engage with the Department to ensure regulatory changes do not inadvertently restrict entry into one of the country’s most essential health professions.

NAFNP remains committed to protecting the FNP pipeline and advancing the highly trained clinicians who support the health of communities nationwide.