OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Access to student loans is at the heart of a new lawsuit involving our state’s Attorney General.

Nick Brown is among a coalition of Attorneys General who filed suit over what they claim is an illegal attempt to block access to federal student loans.

The filing comes after Congress lowered the amount of federal aid graduate and professional students can borrow.

Lawmakers made a point to differentiate between the two types of students to establish appropriate limits. But according to the AGs’ lawsuit, the Dept of Education tweaked the definition of what constitutes a professional degree so fewer students would be eligible for aid.

AG Brown noted that those include students enrolled in nursing programs at WWU, UW and WSU. Career paths for audiologists, physical and occupational therapists and physician assistants would also be impacted by the definition adjustment.

The loan caps aren’t meant to impact current students, but the lawsuit argues that those who transfer schools or take a temporary leave may face future federal loan limits.

The Dept of Education made revisions without Congressional approval earlier this month, but the Congressional changes were approved last July.

This marks the 60th lawsuit AG Brown has filed against the federal administration.