Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Yellow sticky note, text reads let's talk public service forgiveness program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a federal program that allows qualifying federal student loans to be forgiven after 120 qualifying payments (10 years), while working for a qualifying public service employer. Working in public service, such as government service (federal, U.S. Military, state, local, or tribal) or certain non-profit organizations may qualify you for PSLF. Your employment may also qualify if your employer provides certain types of qualifying public services.

Find Out Your Eligibility Based on the Types of Loans You Have and Your Employer

• To qualify for PSLF you must meet all of the requirements:
- ○ Work full-time for a qualifying employer
- ○ Have Direct Loans or consolidate existing loans into a new Direct Loan
- ○ Enroll in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan
- ○ Make 120 qualifying payments over 10 or more years
- ○ Certify your employment and income each year

• PSLF Help Tool
- ○ Learn how to use the tool here before getting started!
- ○ Access the tool here

Stage 1 - Prequalify

• Have an employer that qualifies for the program or use the PSLF help tool.
• Have Direct Loans.
- ○ Log into your FSA account to see if your loans qualify or you’ll have to consolidate your existing federal student loans into a Direct Loan.
• Have the right repayment plan. PSLF requires the borrower to be on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.

Stage 2 - Repayment

• Begin the repayment stage once you confirm the information in Stage 1.
• Stage 2 consists of performing 3 key tasks several times during your PSLF journey.
1. Make 120 qualifying payments in total. Payments must be made over a MINIMUM of 10 years. To ensure you are making qualified payments enroll in auto-debit payments through your loan servicer.
2. Complete and submit a PSLF form each year. A form must be filed every year you make payments toward your PSLF.
- ○ The PSLF form certifies your continued employment by the qualified employer. It must be signed and certified by an authorized representative; check with HR to see who this may be.
3. Recertify Your Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan.
- ○ You must recertify your IDR plan every year. Your servicer will remind you to do this as well.

Stage 3 - Post-Repayment

• File your final PSLF form AFTER you've made your 120th monthly payment and are currently working at a qualifying employer. The remaining balance on your direct loan will be forgiven.

What is PSLF?

Stages of PSLF Process

PSLF Infographic