Urges U.S. Department of Education to include certain degree programs within list of professional degree programs used by federal student loan system.*

SCR 140 is a non-binding resolution urging the U.S. Department of Education to include nursing degree programs in the federal list of "professional degree programs" for student loan eligibility. Currently, nursing programs are excluded from this category, meaning nursing students would face lower federal loan limits ($20,500/year maximum) compared to other professional degrees ($50,000/year maximum) under proposed rules. The resolution directly affects nursing students nationwide, particularly in New Jersey where a projected 24,000-nurse shortage is expected by 2036. It seeks to change the Department of Education’s definition to allow nursing students access to higher borrowing limits for their education.