ACCC Voices Opposition to Revised Definition of Professional Degrees

ACCC strongly opposes the Department of Education’s proposed revision to the definition of “professional degrees,” which determines which graduate programs qualify for higher federal student loan limits. As drafted, the new definition excludes graduate nursing degrees and other essential health professional programs, such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, physical therapists, and other roles that are foundational to modern cancer care delivery. The proposed changes would take effect July 1, 2026, and a formal rulemaking and comment period is forthcoming in early 2026.¹

The oncology workforce is already facing widespread shortages across nursing, advanced practice, and supportive care disciplines. Restricting loan availability for these degrees will further deter talented individuals from entering or advancing in these fields — worsening burnout, accelerating attrition, and ultimately limiting cancer patients’ ability to receive timely, comprehensive care. ACCC is deeply concerned that this proposal will disproportionately affect students who lack the financial means to pursue graduate healthcare professional education without federal support. If implemented, this change will undermine efforts to maintain and expand a well-staffed oncology workforce at a time when entry into such high-demand professions should be based on talent and commitment, not on personal financial means. 

ACCC’s Board President, Dr. Una Hopkins, emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining broad access to federal student loans for a range of healthcare professionals: “As a nurse with three graduate degrees, I did not pursue advanced education because it was easy or affordable — I did it because patients needed me to be more prepared, more skilled, and more capable. Today, as hospitals eliminate tuition reimbursement and educational support, this proposal would place advanced nursing education even further out of reach for the next generation of clinicians. This is not just financial policy — it is a workforce decision with life-or-death consequences for cancer patients.”

ACCC urges the Department of Education to reverse course and revise the proposed definition of “professional degrees” to explicitly include advanced nursing and other essential health professional degrees critical to modern cancer care delivery. ACCC stands ready to provide member insights, workforce data, and real-world oncology program experience to support the Department during this process.

Additional Details  

Contact ACCC

For additional information or technical expert questions, please contact:  

Nicole Tapay, JD  
Director, Health Policy & Advocacy Department  
Association of Cancer Care Centers  
ntapay@accc-cancer.org  

For media-related inquiries, please contact:  
Tricia Dickey  
Associate Director, Marketing Department  
Association of Cancer Care Centers  
tdickey@accc-cancer.org