Professional Degrees Redefined: Gutting Student Access, Threatening Essential Fields

The Department of Education is proposing major changes to what counts as a “professional degree,” and the impact could shut thousands of students out of essential careers. By cutting the list from 2,000 programs to under 600—and ending Grad PLUS loans in 2026—advanced fields like nursing, counseling, social work, therapy, and public health could lose access to higher federal loan caps. These changes threaten workforce pipelines and deepen shortages in critical community-serving professions. A formal rulemaking period is coming—public comments and legislative pressure will be key.

PEG Exclusive: How We Remember History

The Confederate Memorial at Arlington, dedicated in 1914 and removed in 2023, long glorified the Confederacy with images of “loyal” slaves and the mythic “mammy” figure. Civil rights activist Mary Church Terrell condemned such depictions for erasing the violence enslaved women endured.

Critics argue that keeping these monuments in public spaces distorts history and prolongs racial harm. Artists like Kehinde Wiley (Rumors of War) and Augusta Savage (Realization) now offer new narratives—artworks that honor Black resilience and demand a fuller, more honest public memory.

Part I: Commerce Secretary Says Only “Fraudsters” Scream About Missing a Social Security Check, Not Honest People

It is difficult to determine the actual state of federal agencies, including Social Security (SS). However, most people can agree that millions rely on SS for financial and medical stability, making timely payments crucial. Each month, SS provides billions in retirement, survivor, and disability benefits to 73 million people. In 2025, about 73 million Americans will receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both, according to the Social Security Administration, with nearly $1.6 trillion in benefits paid out annually.