Washington sues Trump's Dept. of Education, alleging illegal restriction of student loans

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and a coalition of 23 states and two governors sued the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday, alleging a new federal rule unlawfully restricts access to student loans for graduate students pursuing professional degrees in fields including healthcare.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, challenges a recently finalized Education Department rule that narrows the federal definition of “professional degree,” potentially limiting eligibility for higher federal student loan caps established by Congress.

In Washington, officials said the rule could affect hundreds of students enrolled in professional healthcare degree programs. The University of Washington, Washington State University, and Western Washington University all offer nursing programs that may be impacted.