Maryland Attorney General Sues Dept. Of Education Over Rule Limiting Access To Student Loans For Professional Degrees

May 26, 2026 - 10:19

BALTIMORE -- Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of 24 state attorneys general, along with the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education. The legal challenge targets a new federal rule that restricts access to federal student loans for students pursuing professional degrees.

The lawsuit argues that the rule unlawfully limits borrowing options for graduate and professional students, making it harder for them to finance their education. According to the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, the regulation imposes barriers that could prevent qualified students from entering fields like law, medicine, and dentistry. The coalition claims the Department of Education overstepped its authority by creating the restriction without proper justification.

Brown stated that the rule undermines efforts to build a diverse workforce and places an unfair burden on students who rely on federal loans to afford advanced degrees. The lawsuit seeks to block the rule from taking effect, arguing it violates federal law and harms both students and the states that depend on a steady pipeline of trained professionals. The case now moves to federal court, where the coalition will argue for the rule to be overturned.