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Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness

PSLF, or Public Service Loan Forgiveness, allows those who have served in the military, as well as federal, state, local, or tribal government agencies, public transportation, water, or bridge districts, public housing authorities, not-for-profit organizations that are tax-exempt.

These may include civilian service to the military, emergency management, public safety, law enforcement, early childhood education, and public service for people with disabilities, teaching at a tribal college or university or teaching in a high-need subject area for ten years or more who have federal student loans.

To meet the requirements for Public Service Loan Forgiveness you must also be employed full-time with direct loans and have a repayment plan that is either income-based or participate in the standard ten year repayment plan.

Related: Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview

Does my loan qualify for forgiveness under PSLF?

If your loan is not in default, paid up and on time, and falls under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, the Federal Perkins Loan Program or other federal student loan programs, and you meet other eligibility requirements, your loan does not qualify for PSLF.

The only loans that will match the criteria are Only Direct Loan Program loans.

Which government employers qualify for PSLF?

U.S. government organizations, as well as the Peace Corps and Americorps, including U.S. military branches, school districts, and other federal employees can be approved for PSLF. Qualifying employees can be police officers and law enforcement, firefighters, public defenders and many other career options that serve the public.

To find out if your employer meets specifications, use the PSLF Employer Search Tool. 

Some non-profit organizations may also count as qualifying employers. Using the PSLF Employer Search Tool, check if your eligible not-for-profit organization, including those tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) meets the standard.

Other factors to consider are if the not-for-profit organization devotes most of its full-time equivalent employees to providing certain qualifying public services.

Qualifying public services include but may not be limited to civilian service to the military, military services, law enforcement, emergency management and public safety.

Public education, public health, library and public services for the elderly and those with disabilities will also qualify. Labor union or partisan organizations, however, will not be eligible.

Related: Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview

Do I really have to wait 10 years to file for PSLF?

To qualify for PSLF, it is required that you make 120 monthly payments total. Making bigger lump sum payments does not equate to more payments and does not speed up eligibility.

If you make large lump sum payments, those payment amounts will be spread out to cover upcoming monthly payments.

If you paid six months’ worth of funds at once, it would count for six monthly payments, but you would not be certified for that many payments until the six months finishes. You may save money in interest, however, it will not make the eligibility come sooner.

How can I submit a PSLF form?

The PSLF Help Tool can guide you through submitting documents online. Create a username and password, then log on to find the correct forms. Your employer will be required to sign your document. To do so electronically, give your employer’s email address and send them a request to sign digitally.

Typed signatures will be rejected. Digital signatures must be drawn on the screen and approved for use. Once signed, the electronic form will be processed.

You may also submit a form by hard copy. Download the form through the PSLF Help Tool and then follow the manual signature path. Using the My Activity page, you should be able to download and print the form.

Once you and your employer have signed the printed form, you may send it to:

U.S. Department of Education
P.O. Box 300010
Greenville, TX 75403

What if I still have questions about PSLF?

If you still need help in the application process or have additional questions before submission, visit the Help Center online. There you can find help through the live chat or email functions. For continued support through the process, reach out to the PSLF help line at (855) 265-4038.

Related: Post-9/11 GI Bill Overview

Other Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

In addition to the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness options run by the federal government you may also find state programs and even privately-administered options for student loan relief.

Borrowers can explore options with state-level and non-governmental student loan relief programs. Some target specific professions, like those in healthcare. State student loan relief options may include private student loans, which federal programs do not, while others offer forgiveness based on financial need rather than occupation.

Not every state has its own programs for forgiving or discharging students, but many do and may have multiple options depending on the state and other variables. Below are examples of some programs that may help you with loans or allow you to earn tax credits. All states with programs and additional programs will be added over the next few weeks, and programs will be updated as we receive more information.

Arizona

The Department of Health Services Loan Repayment Program is designed for fully licensed medical professionals who commit to working for two years in shortage areas or underserved areas. Award amounts vary based on the level of need in the designated area and whether the applicant is in their first two years of service or has extended their commitment.

California

The California Student Loan Repayment Program offers up to $50,000 in funding to eligible applicants from selected medical disciplines who commit to a two or four-year service term in a health professional shortage area or a federally qualified health center.

Colorado

The state Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program is available for healthcare providers working in designated health professional shortage areas to repay qualifying educational loans by serving underserved patients at approved clinical sites. Award amounts vary based on full- or part-time work and the specific medical or dental profession, with a maximum of $120,000  for full-time physicians and dentists. A three-year service commitment is required.

District of Columbia

The DC Bar Loan Repayment Assistance Program is available to qualified attorneys employed by eligible organizations in the District of Columbia, providing up to $12,000 annually to help repay educational loans.

Florida

The Sunshine State’s Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education Program (FRAME): This program is designed for professionals practicing in underserved areas of Florida, offering up to 25 percent (with a max of four years and $150,000) of the principal loan for medical or nursing degrees or studies leading to licensure

Illinois

The Illinois Teachers Loan Repayment Program is for Illinois residents who have received federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness but have a remaining balance on Stafford loans. The program offers up to $5,000 in additional relief.

Louisiana

If you live in the Bayou State, you may be eligible for its Loan Repayment Assistance Program if you meet specific eligibility criteria. Healthcare professionals working in shortage areas (HPSAs) in Louisiana may qualify. Physicians, psychiatrists, and dentists can receive up to $30,000 annually for an initial three-year commitment, while other healthcare professionals can receive up to $20,000 annually.

Maryland

The Maryland Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit is available to residents who have maintained residency throughout the tax year, have at least $20,000 in undergraduate or graduate loan debt, and have at least $5,000 in outstanding debt when applying. Recipients must use the awarded amount to pay their student loan debt within two years.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program for Health Professionals is for primary healthcare providers in various medical, dental, and mental health fields who commit to working in state- or federally-designated shortage areas for at least two years. The program covers most federal, state, and private loans used for healthcare degrees. Awards can be up to $50,000 for a two-year commitment.

Michigan

Healthcare workers who commit to working in health professional shortage areas for at least two years can receive up to $300,000 in loan repayments over ten years through Michigan’s State Loan Repayment Program.

Montana

If you practice medicine in rural or underserved areas in Montana, its Rural Physician Incentive Program offers up to $150,000 in loan repayment over five years, with payments starting lower and gradually increasing throughout the qualifying service period.

Nevada

The Nevada Health Service Corps is for physicians and other health practitioners who agree to serve an assigned community for approximately two years. Awards are based on individual evaluations and available funding each cycle.

New York

The New York State Nursing Faculty Forgiveness Incentive Program is for registered nurses who are state residents, hold a master’s degree or doctorate, and work as nursing faculty members or adjunct clinical faculty providing instruction at a nursing school in the state. The program offers up to $8,000 per year, with a maximum of $40,000 over five years of service.

New Mexico

New Mexico’s Public Service Law Loan Repayment Program is for attorneys who commit to public service employment in New Mexico, provided they agree to a three-year obligation. The program offers up to $7,200 annually, but your eligibility may be affected if you make more than $75,000 a year.

Ohio

Ohio offers a Veterinary Medical Licensing Board Student Loan Repayment Program for practitioners of large animal medicine, public health-related veterinary services, or law enforcement-related veterinary services.

Oregon

The Oregon Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program is for professionals across various health fields who commit to serving underserved communities for at least three years. Full-time providers can receive an award of up to 50 percent of their qualifying debt balance, with a maximum of $50,000 per year, while part-time providers can receive up to 25% of their debt, with a maximum of $25,000.

Rhode Island

The state’s Commerce Corporation Wavemaker Fellowship is for workers in various fields. It offers $6,000 annually for Fellows with a graduate degree and up to $4,000 for undergraduates, with support available for up to four years. The benefit is provided as an annual tax credit.

South Carolina 

South Carolina Teacher Loan Forgiveness is available to teachers who teach in critical subject areas or underserved geographic locations. Loan forgiveness is granted at 20 percent or $3,000 per year of teaching in a critical subject or geographic area. If teaching in both, forgiveness is 33 ⅓ percent or $5,000 annually.

Tennessee

The Tennessee State Loan Repayment Program is designed for health professionals who have worked in a health professional shortage area for at least two years. It offers up to $50,000 for the initial two-year commitment and an additional $20,000 per year.

Vermont

The Vermont Educational Loan Repayment for Health Care Professionals covers healthcare professionals who commit to working in shortage areas for typically between 12 and 24 months. It provides up to $20,000 per year depending on available funding.