Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Over one million public servants in America have earned student loan forgiveness through the PSLF program. Are you one of Wisconsin’s 280,000 public service workers who has federal student loan debt?
The Coalition offers free webinars and helpline assistance for eligible public service workers to access this important loan forgiveness program.
Do you work at a public service organization?
We can provide your staff and colleagues with free help to navigate PSLF process. Sign up and we’ll be in touch.
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A loan forgiveness program for local, state, federal government employees or not-for-profit employees that forgives your qualifying remaining balance after making 120 qualifying payments.
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Eligibility is determined by your employer and not the kind of job you have or work you do. You can see if you work for a qualifying employer by using the employer search tool on the studentaid.gov website.
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Eligibility for PSLF is determined by who your employer is, NOT the kind of work you do for that employer. (teacher, administrator, support staff, etc.). You can look up on the Federal Student Aid website whether you work for a qualifying employer:
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Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a program that was established with bipartisan support through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, passed by Congress in 2007 and signed by President George W. Bush. The PSLF will continue to be available unless Congress repeals that law.
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Under the CARES Act, Congress paused payments on most federal student loans due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic from March 13, 2020 until September 1, 2023. Payments were not required during this time AND this time period counts towards PLSF. Plus, you can make a loan payment buyback for this time period if that brings your total payments to the required 120. Learn how it works on this website, or call our helpline for guidance. https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service/public-service-loan-forgiveness-buyback
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You don’t need to have worked for the same qualifying employer during your payment period. Nonprofits, public or religious schools, local, state, federal government organizations, Peace Corps and Americorps are examples of qualifying employers. Use the PSLF Employer Search Tool to confirm whether your employer qualifies you for PSLF. Here’s the link: https://studentaid.gov/pslf/employer-search/search-tool
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Our free and confidential helpline can walk you through the steps for PSLF.
Call us:
Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 Central
or Email us: StudentLoanQuestions@debtsmarts.org
Qualifying for PSLF
Be employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or qualifying not-for-profit organization (federal service includes U.S. military service)
Work full-time for that agency or organization
Have Direct Loans (or consolidate other federal student loans into a Direct Loan)
Repay your loans under an income-driven repayment plan or a 10-year Standard Repayment Plan
Make a total of 120 qualifying monthly payments that need not be consecutive.