By — Addison Briley Addison Briley By — Deema Zein Deema Zein Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/watch-how-aspiring-black-doctors-see-trumps-new-loan-cap Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: How aspiring Black doctors see Trump’s new loan cap Nation Jul 4, 2025 11:38 AM EDT Fewer than six percent of physicians in the U.S. are Black and experts are worried that Trump’s ‘big bill’ could widen that disparity. The legislation would cap federal student loans for professional degrees at $200,000. In 2024, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) said the average four year public medical school cost $286,465. WATCH: House Republicans pass Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax and spending bill Doctors are worried the cap on loans will result in even fewer Black medical students in the future. Studies have shown that financial barriers are just one of the many factors that make it harder for Black students to pursue medicine. PBS News spoke to four Black medical students about how the cost of their education affects them and what they think about the future. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Addison Briley Addison Briley Addison Briley is a PBS Creative Voices Accelerator Fellow and a digital video producer for PBS News. By — Deema Zein Deema Zein Deema Zein is a digital anchor, correspondent for PBS News/ PBS News Hour.
Fewer than six percent of physicians in the U.S. are Black and experts are worried that Trump’s ‘big bill’ could widen that disparity. The legislation would cap federal student loans for professional degrees at $200,000. In 2024, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) said the average four year public medical school cost $286,465. WATCH: House Republicans pass Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax and spending bill Doctors are worried the cap on loans will result in even fewer Black medical students in the future. Studies have shown that financial barriers are just one of the many factors that make it harder for Black students to pursue medicine. PBS News spoke to four Black medical students about how the cost of their education affects them and what they think about the future. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now