Student Loan Forgiveness Eligibility Checker
Answer a few questions to find out which student loan forgiveness programs you may qualify for. Covers PSLF i, IDR i forgiveness, and Teacher Loan Forgiveness.
Check Your PSLF Eligibility
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is the most valuable forgiveness program, offering tax-free forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments. Use our interactive checker below to see if you qualify.
PSLF Eligibility Checker
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Understanding Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
Student loan forgiveness allows borrowers to have some or all of their federal student loan balance cancelled after meeting specific requirements. Several forgiveness programs exist, each with different eligibility criteria and terms. Below is a comprehensive overview of the major programs available in 2026.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
PSLF forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years) while working full-time for a qualifying employer. Qualifying employers include government organizations at any level, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, and other types of non-profit organizations that provide qualifying public services. The forgiven amount under PSLF is not treated as taxable income, making it the most financially advantageous forgiveness program.
To qualify for PSLF, you must have Direct Loans (or consolidate other federal loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan), be enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan or the standard 10-year plan, work full-time for a qualifying employer, and make 120 qualifying payments. Payments do not need to be consecutive. Submit the Employment Certification Form annually to track your progress.
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness
All income-driven repayment plans offer loan forgiveness after a set period of payments. IBR and PAYE forgive remaining balances after 20 years, while ICR and the new RAP plan forgive after 25 years. An important change for 2026: the tax-free treatment of forgiven student loan balances that was in effect through 2025 has expired. Starting in 2026, forgiven amounts under IDR plans may be treated as taxable income, potentially creating a significant tax liability known as the "tax bomb." PSLF forgiveness remains tax-free.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Teachers who work full-time for five consecutive complete academic years in a qualifying low-income school or educational service agency can receive up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness. Highly qualified teachers in mathematics, science, or special education at the secondary level qualify for the full $17,500. Other qualifying teachers receive up to $5,000. You must have Direct Loans or FFEL Program loans and cannot have an outstanding balance on a Direct Loan or FFEL Program loan as of October 1, 1998.
Closed School Discharge
If your school closed while you were enrolled or shortly after you withdrew, you may be eligible for a complete discharge of your federal student loans for that school. This applies if the school closed while you were enrolled, or if the school closed within 180 days after you withdrew. You cannot receive a closed school discharge if you completed your program through a teach-out agreement.
Total and Permanent Disability Discharge
Borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled may qualify for a complete discharge of their federal student loans. You can provide documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, or a physician certifying your disability. After discharge, there is typically a three-year monitoring period during which your discharge can be reversed if certain conditions are met.
Common PSLF Mistakes to Avoid
Many borrowers lose progress toward PSLF by making avoidable errors. Ensure you have Direct Loans, not FFEL or Perkins loans (consolidate if needed). Verify your employer qualifies by submitting the Employment Certification Form. Stay enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan. Make your payments on time and in full. Track your qualifying payment count through your loan servicer and the PSLF Help Tool at StudentAid.gov.
Top 5 PSLF Mistakes
- Wrong loan type: Only Direct Loans qualify. FFEL and Perkins loans must be consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan first.
- Wrong repayment plan: Graduated and Extended plans do not count. Enroll in an income-driven repayment plan immediately.
- Not certifying employment: Submit the ECF annually. Without it, you have no verified record of qualifying payments.
- Gaps in employment: Payments only count while you are working full-time (30+ hours/week) for a qualifying employer.
- Not tracking payments: Monitor your qualifying payment count on StudentAid.gov and dispute any discrepancies promptly.
PSLF Timeline and Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Payments | 120 monthly payments (do not need to be consecutive) |
| Employer Type | Government (federal, state, local, tribal) or 501(c)(3) non-profit |
| Employment Status | Full-time (30+ hours per week or employer's full-time definition) |
| Loan Type | Direct Loans only (consolidate FFEL/Perkins if needed) |
| Repayment Plan | Any IDR plan or Standard 10-year plan |
| Tax Treatment | Forgiven amount is completely tax-free |
| Application | Submit via StudentAid.gov after 120th payment |
Not Eligible for Forgiveness?
If you do not qualify for any forgiveness program, refinancing your student loans could be your best path to savings. Borrowers who refinance save an average of $16,000-$22,000 over the life of their loan. Compare rates from top lenders to see your potential savings.
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