How do I know if I qualify for student loan forgiveness?

Eligibility depends on the program. For PSLF, you need full-time qualifying employment, Direct Loans, an income-driven repayment plan, and 120 qualifying payments. IDR forgiveness occurs after 20-25 years. Teachers may qualify after 5 years at a low-income school.

Should I refinance my student loans?

Refinancing can save thousands with a credit score of 700+ and a lower rate. However, refinancing federal loans into private loans means losing income-driven repayment, PSLF eligibility, and federal forbearance protections.

What is income-driven repayment and how does it work?

IDR plans cap monthly payments at 5-20% of discretionary income depending on the plan (SAVE, PAYE, IBR, ICR). Remaining balances are forgiven after 20-25 years of qualifying payments.

How can I pay off student loans faster?

Make extra principal payments, use the avalanche method (highest rate first), set up biweekly payments, refinance to a lower rate, and direct windfalls like tax refunds toward your loans.

What is the difference between federal and private student loans?

Federal loans offer fixed rates, IDR plans, forgiveness programs, and forbearance. Private loans have credit-based rates and typically lack these protections but may offer lower rates for excellent credit borrowers.

Can I deduct student loan interest on my taxes?

Yes, up to $2,500 per year in student loan interest is deductible even without itemizing. The deduction phases out at $75,000-$90,000 AGI for single filers and $155,000-$185,000 for married filing jointly.

Student Loan Forgiveness for Teachers

Up to $17,500 in Teacher Loan Forgiveness + PSLF for public school educators | Updated April 2026

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program ($5,000 – $17,500)

The federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program offers up to $17,500 in Direct Loan or FFEL forgiveness for teachers who work full-time for five consecutive complete academic years in a qualifying low-income school or educational service agency. This is one of the fastest paths to partial loan forgiveness available to any profession.

How Much Can Teachers Get Forgiven?

Up to $17,500 for highly qualified math, science, or special education teachers at qualifying secondary schools
Up to $5,000 for all other qualifying full-time teachers at eligible elementary or secondary schools

Eligibility Requirements

Teach full-time for five consecutive complete academic years
Work at a school listed in the Teacher Cancellation Low Income Directory
Have Direct Loans or FFEL Program loans (not Perkins Loans for this program)
Not have an outstanding balance on Direct Loans or FFEL as of October 1, 1998, or on the date you received a Direct Loan or FFEL after October 1, 1998
Be a highly qualified teacher (hold at least a bachelor's degree and full state certification)

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

Verify your school qualifies. Check the Teacher Cancellation Low Income Directory at studentaid.gov each year you teach. Schools on the list can change annually.
Complete five consecutive years. You must teach full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years. A break in service typically resets the clock.
Get certification from your employer. Your chief administrative officer (principal, superintendent, or HR director) must certify your teaching service on the application form.
Submit the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application. Download the application from studentaid.gov and submit it to your loan servicer after completing your five years of service.
Continue making payments. You must continue making payments during the five-year qualifying period. Enrolling in an IDR plan can minimize these payments.

Could You Get a Lower Rate?

Some borrowers may save by refinancing to a lower rate. Check estimated rates in minutes (results may vary):

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Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for Teachers

Public school teachers working for government-run school districts qualify for PSLF, which forgives the remaining balance after 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years). Unlike Teacher Loan Forgiveness, there is no cap on the amount forgiven, and the forgiveness is completely tax-free.

PSLF Eligibility for Teachers

Work full-time (30+ hours/week) for a qualifying public school district, state agency, or 501(c)(3) private school
Have Direct Loans (consolidate FFEL or Perkins loans first)
Be enrolled in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan
Make 120 qualifying monthly payments (not necessarily consecutive)

Combining Teacher Forgiveness and PSLF

You can use both programs sequentially. Many teachers complete five years for Teacher Loan Forgiveness first (getting $5,000-$17,500 forgiven), then continue toward PSLF for the remaining balance. The five years of qualifying payments count toward PSLF's 120-payment requirement as long as you had Direct Loans and were on an eligible repayment plan during that period.

State-Specific Teacher Loan Programs

Many states offer additional loan forgiveness or repayment assistance for teachers, especially those in shortage areas. Here are programs in the top 10 states:

State	Program	Amount	Requirements
Texas	Texas Teacher Loan Forgiveness	Up to $20,000	Teach in shortage area for 5 years
California	Assumption Program of Loans for Education (APLE)	Up to $19,000	Teach in low-income schools for 4 years
New York	NYS Get On Your Feet Program	Up to 24 payments	Recent graduates, IDR enrollment
Illinois	Illinois Teacher Loan Repayment	Up to $5,000/year	Teach in shortage area or low-income school
Florida	Florida Teacher Loan Forgiveness	Up to $10,000	Teach critical shortage subject for 5 years
Maryland	Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance	Up to $10,000/year	Work in state/local government or nonprofit
Pennsylvania	PA Teacher Loan Forgiveness	Up to $10,000	Teach in rural or urban shortage area
Georgia	PROMISE Teacher Scholarship	Up to $6,000/year	Teach in critical shortage field
North Carolina	NC Teaching Fellows Forgivable Loan	Up to $4,125/semester	Commit to teaching in NC public schools
Ohio	Ohio Teacher Loan Repayment	Up to $5,000/year (3 years)	Teach in qualifying Ohio school

FAQ: Teacher Loan Forgiveness

Can I apply for Teacher Loan Forgiveness and PSLF at the same time?

Not simultaneously for the same period, but you can use them sequentially. Complete Teacher Loan Forgiveness first (5 years), get that portion forgiven, then continue toward PSLF for the remaining balance. Your 5 years of payments count toward PSLF's 120 payments if you met all PSLF requirements during that time.

Do private school teachers qualify?

For Teacher Loan Forgiveness, you must teach at a qualifying low-income school, which can include some private schools listed in the Teacher Cancellation Low Income Directory. For PSLF, private school teachers qualify only if the school is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

What if my school loses its low-income designation?

If a school was listed in the Teacher Cancellation Low Income Directory when you began teaching there, you can continue to count your service even if the school is removed from the list in subsequent years, as long as you remain employed at that school.

Do summer months count toward my five years?

Yes. If you teach for a complete academic year under a standard contract, the summer break between academic years counts as part of your consecutive service. However, if you resign at the end of a school year and are rehired the next year, that may break your consecutive service.

What is the best repayment strategy for teachers?

Most teachers should enroll in an income-driven repayment plan (like SAVE or IBR) to minimize payments during their 5-year Teacher Loan Forgiveness period. After receiving that forgiveness, continue on IDR toward PSLF for the remaining balance. Use our IDR Calculator to find the lowest payment plan.

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