H.R. 6862 — Protecting Health Care Workforce Pipelines Act

This section delays, for graduate and professional students enrolled in programs at covered institutions, (1) the termination of eligibility for subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans to periods of instruction beginning on or after July 1, 2030 (from July 1, 2026); and (2) the application of loan limits under paragraphs (4)(A) and (4)(B) to July 1, 2030 (from July 1, 2026). A covered institution is a health professions school or program (as defined in the Public Health Service Act), or a specified nursing program, located within 100 miles of a health professional shortage area or a medically underserved community. (Federal Direct Stafford Loans provide government-paid interest during in-school, grace, and deferment periods; graduate and professional students have been ineligible for such subsidized loans since July 1, 2012, except as delayed here.)