What qualifies as public service for student loan forgiveness

If you’re struggling with student loan debt and you work in the public service sector, you might be able to get on a repayment plan that allows you to take advantage of Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Here’s what you need to know about the program—and how it might be able to help you get rid of your federal student loans.

Many or all of the companies featured provide compensation to LendEDU. These commissions are how we maintain our free service for consumers. Compensation, along with hours of in-depth editorial research, determines where & how companies appear on our site.

The New York Public Library offers information and free programs to New Yorkers seeking help with the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Read on for information about what the program offers and how to apply.

What is the PSLF Program?

A federal program created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 to provide indebted professionals a way out of their student loan debt by working full-time in public service (e.g., government and nonprofit). 

What are the qualifications for PSLF?

The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments. To qualify for PSLF, you must:

  • be employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or 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; and
  • make 120 qualifying payments.

What is the PSLF waiver?

Until October 31, 2022, federal student loan borrowers can get credit for payments that previously didn’t qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness (TEPSLF).

Please note this is separate from the recently announced One Time Student Loan Debt Relief plan.

How can I find out if I qualify for PSLF?

You can use the PSLF Help Tool to determine your eligibility based on the types of loans you have and your employer. The article Become a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Help Tool Ninja covers help tool basics, how to find your employer in the database, and more.

If I don't qualify for PSLF, what are my options? What resources do I have?

You can still use the PSLF Help Tool to find out your eligibility for other opportunities such as the Federal Student Loan Forgiveness and NYS Student Loan Repayment Assistance Programs. For more information: 

  • NYS Higher Education Services Corporation
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Where can I get help?

NYPL is proud to work alongside PSLF.nyc, a coalition of nonprofits, government agencies, and labor unions, to spread the word and connect federal loan borrowers with the resources they need to apply ahead of the October 31, 2022 deadline. To learn more, check your eligibility, join an information session, and get support:

  • Get Help at NYPL: You May Be Eligible to Have Your Student Debt Erased
  • Get Support PSLF.nyc
  • NYC Financial Empowerment Centers

You can also visit Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library and inquire about local opportunities.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is administered by Federal Student Aid, an Office of the U.S. Department of Education.

What qualifies as public service for student loan forgiveness

The Department of Education recently announced an overhaul of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. After years of breakdowns and mismanagement, millions of public service workers who have been struggling under the weight of student loan debt now have a path to relief. In short, borrowers who were previously ineligible because they had the wrong loan, were making payments on the wrong payment plan, or were knocked off track due to processing errors can now receive credit toward forgiveness for those years worked in public service.

While this is a huge victory for borrowers — made possible by the tireless efforts of an amazing network of advocacy organizations and individual borrowers across the country — a lot of questions remain about how the process will work. Below, borrowers can find information and resources. As announcements are made, we will continue to update this page to ensure all borrowers have timely, accurate information.

Getting Started: What All Borrowers Need to Do:

  1. Where do you work? Determine whether your employment qualifies.
  2. What kind of loan do you have? Find out if you have the right type of loan or if you need to consolidate your loan(s) to qualify.
  3. Take action before October 31, 2022! Borrowers must apply before the deadline to access this relief.

(Use our guide below to determine the answers to 1 & 2)

Remember: Even if you were previously ineligible, you now may qualify for credit toward PSLF for public service work done since 2007.

Guide to Navigating PSLF

The videos below can provide you with updates on changes to the PSLF program and instructions for applying for PSLF.

Overview of PSLF and Program Changes

Confirming Your Employer Qualifies for PSLF

Identifying Your Student Loans for PSLF

Consolidating Your Loans for PSLF

Certifying Your Employment for PSLF

Frequently Asked Questions on PSLF

Leer en Español

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions that might help provide you additional information on your PSLF eligibility. We will update this page with relevant information as more details become public and it’s clear what the next steps are for individual borrowers.

Q: Who can qualify for PSLF?

A: Student loan borrowers pursuing PSLF must be employed by a qualifying public service employer to take advantage of the program. These employers are generally: 

  • Government employers 
  • 501(c)3 organizations  
  • Other non-profit organizations
  • Private, for-profit employers currently do not qualify for PSLF.

The Department of Education (ED) generally requires public service workers to file an Employment Certification Form (ECF) to document their employment with a qualified employer. During the current waiver period, ED will engage in data matching with other federal agencies to verify employment for federal government employees and members of the U.S. federal military, but all other borrowers seeking PSLF will need to file an ECF if they have not already done so.


Q: How do I know if I’m eligible for PSLF?

A: During the current waiver period, the Department of Education is allowing borrowers to receive credit toward loan forgiveness for any months since October 1, 2007, during which:

  • They worked full-time for a qualifying public service employer, AND
  • They were in repayment on any federal student loan they took out for their own education.*

You do not have to be currently employed or working full-time to receive loan forgiveness. If you have accrued 120 months of public service employment while your loans were in repayment since October 1, 2007, you can qualify to have your debt cancelled, regardless of what repayment plan you were in, and regardless of whether you actually made a payment for a given month, as long as your loan was not in a deferment, forbearance, or default.

* Parent Plus loans and Spousal FFEL Consolidation loans are not included in the waiver.


Trouble Getting on Track for PSLF? We Want to Hear From You.

For borrowers having problems navigating PSLF, please fill out the form below. We want to hear about your situation and roadblocks you have faced in order to help identify and address recurring problems.

Click here to access our complaint form

State-Based Resources for Borrowers

Below is a list of state-based resources as well where borrowers can submit complaints.

March-2022-State-Student-Loan-Ombuds-Resources

Join our mailing list Stay informed on the fight to protect Americans with student debt

What public servants are eligible for student loan forgiveness?

For this limited time period, nonprofit, government employees (including federal, state and local), and military servicemembers with federal student loans may be eligible for loan forgiveness even if they did not qualify under the original eligibility rules.

What is considered a public service?

This includes employers such as the U.S. military, public elementary and secondary schools, public colleges and universities, public child and family service agencies, and special governmental districts (including entities such as public transportation, water, bridge district, or housing authorities).

How do you check if employer qualifies for PSLF?

Determine If Your Employer Qualifies for PSLF If you have Direct Loans and have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer, you may be eligible for PSLF or TEPSLF.

What is an example of a public service job?

Examples of public services include law enforcement, military services, healthcare, local government, education, and social care.