From loan limits to new payback plans, UMB Provost Roger Ward and Registrar Patricia Scott break down the changes in federal financing rules and how they’ll impact UMB students.
Since early December, the headlines have been grim. In The Wall Street Journal: “How the U.S. is Tightening the Reins on Federal Student Loans.” In Newsweek: “Warning Issued for Student Loan Borrowers.” In Bloomberg: “How the Trump Administration is Putting the Squeeze on Student Borrowers.”
A big part of that squeeze is a change on the limits on student borrowing. Last summer’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminates the existing GradPlus loan program for new students after July 1. It also imposes annual limits on new borrowers — $50,000 for “professional” degree students, and $20,500 for all other graduate students. The lifetime limits are $200,000 and $100,000, respectively.
The controversy over the “professional” designation stems from the fact that federal rules — which have not changed — categorize only a limited number of degrees as “professional.” The relevant degrees at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) are the MD, DDS, JD, and PharmD degrees. Others, like graduate nursing degrees, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Master and Doctor of Social Work degrees are not included on the “professional” list.
As you might expect, nursing advocacy groups in particular were quick to respond, arguing that any policy that may dissuade potential nursing students will only exacerbate a serious and growing nursing shortage. “We have a primary care crisis in this country,” said Deborah Trautman, president and chief executive officer of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “The omission is not only harmful for nursing; the omission is not good for anyone who needs health care.”
The U.S. Department of Education (DoED) defended the classifications saying the categories are merely an “internal definition” and “have no bearing on whether a program is professional in nature or not.” DoED argued that 95 percent of nursing students borrow below the new limit, and placing a cap on loans for graduate nursing programs will force colleges to reduce program costs and thereby reduce future student debt.
On Jan. 20, UMB Provost and Executive Vice President Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MSL, MPA, hosted a special hybrid edition of the University’s Face to Face program. He was joined by Patricia Scott, assistant vice president of enrollment administration and University registrar. The two discussed the status of student financing for existing students as compared with students enrolling after July 1, 2026, including the new RAP repayment program, a DoED plan to implement a degree program earnings test, loan forgiveness, and alternative financing. They also answered questions from the in-person and virtual audience.