Navigating the complexities of student loan forgiveness in the United States can be challenging. This guide provides an overview of eligibility criteria and the application process for various federal student loan forgiveness programs.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program offers loan forgiveness to individuals employed in qualifying public service roles.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Employment: Full-time work for a government organization (federal, state, local, or tribal) or a non-profit organization with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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Loan Type: Must have Direct Loans. Other federal student loans can become eligible if consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan.
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Repayment Plan: Enrollment in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan is required.
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Payments: Make 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
Application Process:
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Employment Certification: Regularly submit the Employment Certification Form to verify qualifying employment.
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Apply for Forgiveness: After meeting all requirements, submit the PSLF application.
For detailed information and access to forms, visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Designed to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession, the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program offers forgiveness for teachers serving in low-income schools or educational service agencies.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Employment: Full-time teaching for five complete and consecutive academic years in a low-income school or educational service agency.
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Loan Type: Must have Direct Loans or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans.
Benefits:
- Up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for highly qualified teachers in certain subjects, such as mathematics or science.
Application Process:
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Complete the Application: After completing the required five years of teaching, fill out the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application.
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Submit the Application: Have your chief administrative officer certify your application and submit it to your loan servicer.
More details are available on the Federal Student Aid website.
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan Forgiveness
Income-driven repayment plans adjust your monthly student loan payments based on your income and family size. After making payments for a set period (20 or 25 years), any remaining loan balance may be forgiven.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Loan Type: Most federal student loans are eligible.
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Repayment Plan: Enrollment in an IDR plan, such as Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), or Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE).
Application Process:
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Apply for an IDR Plan: Submit an Income-Driven Repayment Plan Request through the Federal Student Aid website or your loan servicer.
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Annual Recertification: Update your income and family size each year to continue in the plan.
For comprehensive information, refer to the Federal Student Aid website.