Public Service Loan Forgiveness

PSLF

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) was developed to encourage borrowers to enter full-time public service employment.

Three Key Factors to Qualify for PSLF

You must have eligible loans: Federal Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Graduate PLUS and Consolidation Loans borrowed under the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program
You must make qualifying payments: repay your Direct Loans under the Standard, Income Based Repayment (IBR), or Pay As You Earn (PAYE) plan. Eligible loans may be forgiven after making 120 months of qualifying payments while working full time in an eligible public service position.
You must work in a qualifying job: eligible employment includes non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organizations, government, law enforcement, military, public interest law services (including prosecution or public defense or legal advocacy in low-income communities at a non-profit organization), public education, etc.

The Department of Education has provided assistance with navigating the process through the PSLF Help Tool, and has a letter to borrowers[PDF], PSLF instructions[PDF], and a PSLF Employment Certification Form[PDF].

Update: PSLF Limited Waiver Opportunity Available Until October 2022

The U.S. Department of Education released a waiver for a limited time, where borrowers may be able to receive credit for past payments which may not have originally qualified for PSLF. More information can be found within the Department of Education's Official Announcement.