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Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness

UPDATE: The Department of Education rolls out new restrictions on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program as of July 1, 2026, requiring people to enroll in the federal Repayment Assistance Plan to earn credit toward debt discharge. Learn more about these changes in our article about Public Service Student Loan Program changes.

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, or 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?

There have been multiple changes to PSLF, and some options offered prior to 1 July 2026 are no longer applicable. Please see our article on Public Service Student Loan Program changes to learn more about which programs may qualify, under what conditions, and what the expectations are for repayment going forward.

 

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 unions 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, you must make 120 total monthly payments. Making larger lump-sum payments does not equate to more payments or speed up eligibility.

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

If you paid six months’ worth of funds at once, it would count as six monthly payments, but you would not be certified for that many payments until the six months are up. You may save money on 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 hard-copy form. Download the form via the PSLF Help Tool, 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 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. 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.

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 a percentage 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.

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 forgivness up to a set amount annually for an initial three-year commitment.

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 2 years. The program covers most federal, state, and private loans used for healthcare degrees.

Michigan

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

Montana

If you practice medicine in rural or underserved areas in Montana, the Rural Physician Incentive Program offers 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.

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.

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 in past years.

Rhode Island

The state’s Commerce Corporation Wavemaker Fellowship is for workers in various fields. It offers student loan assistance to Fellows with a graduate degree and to undergraduates, with support available for up to 4 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 up to 20 percent per year of teaching in a critical subject or geographic area.

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.

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.