Congress Nears Key Deadlines for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Programs

There is some encouraging news for nursing education in Washington. In June, the House Appropriations Committee advanced legislation that would increase funding for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, a key source of federal support for nursing education, faculty development, and workforce recruitment.

Our April 2026 blog article, The Federal Budget and Nursing Education: What Program Leaders Need to Know explained how congressional funding decisions affect nursing education and workforce development. As Congress returns from its August recess, the focus is shifting from understanding the process to tracking the funding decisions that could affect nursing programs nationwide.

While lawmakers have made progress on Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 appropriations legislation, significant work remains before final funding levels for nursing workforce programs are determined. For nurse educators, program administrators, and program leaders, the coming months will help shape federal investments in faculty development, workforce recruitment, advanced nursing education, and student support programs.

Why the Labor-HHS-Education Bill Matters

Among the 12 annual appropriations bills considered by Congress, the most significant for nursing education is the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS-Education) appropriations bill.

This legislation funds the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, which support nursing education, nurse faculty development, workforce recruitment, scholarships, loan repayment initiatives, and advanced nursing education. As discussed in our June article, The Nursing Education Policy Watch List: What's Ahead in Washington, preserving and strengthening funding for these programs remains one of ATI's top federal advocacy priorities.

Because of its importance to the nursing workforce pipeline, ATI closely monitors developments related to the Labor-HHS-Education bill each year.

Where Does FY 2027 Stand Today?

The House and Senate are moving through the appropriations process at different speeds.

In June, the House Appropriations Committee approved its FY 2027 Labor-HHS-Education funding bill, advancing legislation that includes funding for nursing workforce programs and other healthcare workforce initiatives.

The Senate has not yet completed action on its version of the bill, making it increasingly unlikely that final appropriations legislation will be completed before Oct. 1.

Title VIII Funding: Progress, But More Work Ahead

One encouraging development for nursing education is that the House Appropriations Committee rejected proposals that would have significantly reduced federal investment in nursing workforce development.

Instead, the committee approved funding that would provide approximately $307.5 million for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, a modest increase above current levels and a positive indication that lawmakers continue to recognize the importance of strengthening the nursing workforce pipeline.

Final funding levels, however, remain uncertain. The House bill represents only one step in the appropriations process, and any final FY 2027 funding agreement must be negotiated with the Senate and signed into law.

ATI's FY 2027 Advocacy Priorities

As noted in our June article, ATI is advocating for increased federal investment in nursing workforce development programs. Specifically, we have urged Congress to provide $346 million for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, a $41 million increase above current funding levels. We have also called on lawmakers to double funding for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, reflecting the ongoing faculty shortages that continue to limit enrollment capacity at nursing schools across the country.

These priorities reflect challenges we consistently hear from nursing educators, including faculty shortages, enrollment constraints, and growing workforce demand. In many cases, programs report having qualified applicants available but insufficient faculty and clinical training capacity to meet workforce demand.

Will There Be a Continuing Resolution?

At this point, a continuing resolution (CR) appears increasingly likely. A CR is temporary legislation that keeps federal agencies and programs operating while lawmakers continue negotiating final appropriations bills. For nursing education programs, this would mean that Title VIII and other federally funded workforce programs continue operating at existing funding levels until Congress reaches a final funding agreement.

Looking Ahead

As Congress returns to Washington this fall, ATI will continue monitoring developments affecting nursing education and healthcare workforce policy. Key issues to watch include:

• Senate action on the FY 2027 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill
• Negotiations over potential continuing resolution legislation
• Final funding levels for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs
• Broader workforce development and higher education funding decisions that affect nursing programs

As we highlighted in our July article, federal policy decisions can have significant ripple effects throughout the nursing education pipeline, affecting student access, program capacity, faculty recruitment, and the healthcare workforce itself.

ATI will continue advocating on behalf of nurse educators, nursing students, and academic leaders and providing updates on federal developments that affect nursing education. At a time when nursing programs continue facing faculty shortages, enrollment constraints, and growing demand for healthcare professionals, federal funding decisions will play an important role in shaping the future nursing workforce.

How You Can Help

Congressional offices consistently tell us that firsthand perspectives from nurse educators and program leaders help them understand workforce challenges facing healthcare today.

Has your institution benefited from Title VIII funding? Have faculty shortages, workforce demands, or funding constraints affected your ability to educate future nurses?

We welcome your perspectives as we continue advocating for nursing education and workforce development.

Would you like to support our advocacy efforts and share your real-world perspective on these developments? Please contact me, Kurt Burkum, Senior Director of Government Relations, at [email protected].

About the author: Kurt Burkum is Senior Director of Government Relations at Ascend Learning. With more than 20 years of experience in education policy, workforce development, public affairs, and policy research, he works with policymakers, educators, and industry leaders on issues that shape learner success and workforce readiness. His writing explores the legislative, regulatory, and policy trends affecting postsecondary education, career pathways, credentialing, and professional training.