Back to News Policy Watch: Title VIII Nursing Programs and Loan Forgiveness Wednesday, July 8, 2026 | Policy & Advocacy Deadline Fast Approaching: Apply for Title VIII Grants TODAY! Nursing Workforce Development Program (NWD), which aims to increase nursing education opportunities for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Apply TODAY, July 8. Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), which supports graduate students who commit to serve as faculty after graduation. Apply by this Friday, July 10. Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention – Transition to Practice Program, which addresses the nursing shortage in rural and medically underserved areas. Apply by Friday, July 17. HRSA will also host a live Q&A session this Thursday, July 9, from 12:00-1:00 pm (ET). Click here to join the Zoom call. Action Alert: Help Build Support for Title VIII Nursing Programs! The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S.1874/H.R.3593) is a bipartisan and bicameral bill that ensures these programs continue to support nursing education and workforce development at the federal level. We need your help! Click here to send a message to your members of Congress as we continue to build support for this critical effort! Federal Court Blocks ED Rule Limiting Public Service Loan Forgiveness Access On July 1, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a ruling that struck down a final rule from the Department of Education that would allow the Department to exclude certain employers from participating in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this decision, click here. Did You Know? AACN Helps Prepare the Next Generation of Nurse Advocates On June 24, AACN welcomed a group of students from the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing to our Washington, DC office. Before heading to Capitol Hill for congressional meetings, the students participated in a briefing on how Congress works, the roles of the Administration and federal agencies, and the key federal policy issues impacting academic nursing. For information about coordinating a student advocacy visit, contact Government Affairs Coordinator Andrew Bryant (abryant@aacnnursing.org). f View all updates from Policy Watch