Public Service Loan Forgiveness

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) was developed to encourage borrowers to enter full-time public service employment.  Eligible loans may be forgiven after making 120 months of qualifying payments while working full time in an eligible public service position.

Three Key Factors to Qualify for PSLF:

1. You must have eligible loans: Federal Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Graduate PLUS and Consolidation Loans borrowed under the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program
2. You must make qualifying payments:  repay your Direct Loans under the Standard, Income Based Repayment (IBR), or Pay As You Earn (PAYE) plan
   
3. 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 information to students on their PSLF website and has a letter to borrowers[PDF], PSLF instructions[PDF], and a PSLF Employment Certification Form[PDF].