Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Student Support and Advocacy Center

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.

[expand title = "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 [/expand]

[expand title = "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. [/expand]

[expand title = "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. [/expand]

[expand title = "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.
[/expand]

What is PSLF?

Stages of PSLF Process

PSLF Infographic