A federal judge has blocked part of a Trump administration plan that would have limited access to loans for students pursuing graduate degrees in nursing, physical therapy, public health and some other fields.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled late Wednesday that the Education Department overstepped its authority by redefining what constitutes a "professional degree" program. The administration's updated definition included stricter requirements, such as mandating that degree holders must work without the supervision of another professional.

Howell stated that Congress had not granted the Education Department the authority to implement such changes. She expressed concern that restricting educational opportunities for prospective students could be "detrimental to the public, particularly in underserved communities that may face a shortage of healthcare and other critical professional services."

The ruling specifically targets the Education Department's definition of a professional degree but does not halt the loan caps themselves. Under the plan, which was part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and set to take effect in July, graduate students would face limits on federal loan amounts. Programs designated as "graduate" would be capped at $100,000, while those deemed "professional" would have a $200,000 limit.

The Education Department had defined pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry and theology as professional programs. Eight groups, representing fields such as nurse practitioners, therapists, public health workers, speech language pathologists, and physician assistants, had filed a lawsuit challenging the definition and the potential caps. They argued that students might be forced to abandon their education or take on high-interest private loans.

"An important step for NP students, the future health care workforce and the patients who depend on them," the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, one of the groups that sued, said in a Facebook post.

The Education Department stated it is "reviewing the order and will take appropriate action." Previously, the department defended the loan caps, suggesting they would encourage colleges and universities to reduce tuition costs.

A separate lawsuit filed by a coalition of Democratic-led states, which also challenges the loan caps, is still pending.