Teachers have the most options (compared to other careers) for student loan forgiveness. That's awesome – but it can also be confusing. With so many programs, and so many requirements, student loan forgiveness for teachers is a complicated subject (get it… subject…sorry, lame teacher joke).
If you're a teacher, you have four main programs/ways to get student loan forgiveness. You also have a secondary avenue for student loan forgiveness based on your repayment plan.
Given that the average teacher only makes around $38,727 based on Payscale, and that the average student loan debt in 2017 is $37,000 according to The College Board, any help that teachers can get is essential.
Let's break down the four main ways to get student loan forgiveness for teachers, what the other options are, and how to get professional help if you want it.
Watch The Video
Option 1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is one of the top ways to get student loan forgiveness. This program allows you to get complete Federal student loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments.
What's great about this program is that it offers the most options for teachers - you don't have to be at a qualifying Title 1 school. Any teacher at any school counts. In fact, any worker at a school counts (librarian, teacher's aid, principal, janitor, etc.).
There are three major requirements for PSLF:
- Certified Employment For 120 Payments - You can find the employment certification form here.
- Direct Loans - Other loan types (such as FFEL) don't count.
- Qualifying Repayment Plan - The qualifying repayment plans for PSLF are the Standard 10-year plan, IBR, PAYE, RePAYE, ICR, and certain payments made under the graduated plan.
We have a short online training on Public Service Loan Forgiveness if you want more details or want to ensure you remain compliant with the program.
Option 2. Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Teacher Loan Forgiveness is a program that was started before PSLF, and allowed teachers at qualifying schools to have up to $17,500 of your Direct or FFEL loans forgiven after 5 years.
This program has many more stipulations that PSLF, and also forgives a smaller amount. The major requirements for Teacher Loan Forgiveness are:
- 5 Complete & Consecutive Years At A Qualifying School - You can find the list of qualifying schools here. The five years must be completed after 1998.
- Certain Teachers Get Up To $17,500, Others Up To $5,000 - If you're a highly qualified secondary math or science teacher, or special education teacher, you can receive up to $17,500 in forgiveness.
Once you've completed your 5 consecutive years, you can apply for forgiveness under the program.
**As a side note, you can combine both PSLF and Teacher Loan Forgiveness, just not at the same time. For example, you'd need to work 5 years and do Teacher Loan Forgiveness, then 10 years and apply for PSLF. This doesn't really make any sense because PSLF forgives the entire amount after 10 years. So, if you're considering this route, just go with PSLF.
A circumstance where it might not make sense is if you don't plan on working for 10 years. If you meet the 5 year criteria, and don't plan on teaching any longer, Teacher Loan Forgiveness could make sense.
Another circumstance where it could make sense is if you haven't consolidated your loans and have FFEL loans. Since FFEL loans don't qualify for PSLF, you could do Teacher Loan Forgiveness first, then consolidate your loans and go for PSLF.
Option 3. Perkins Teacher Loan Forgiveness
If you have Perkins Loans, you can get forgiveness up to 100% of your loan balance if you teach full time at a low-income school or teaching certain subjects.
If you have Perkins Loans, you can see your entire loan balance forgiven over 5 years. The great thing about this program is that it gives forgiveness in increments, so even if you don't make it 5 years, you can at least see some of your loan balance disappear.
Here's how it breaks down:
- Year 1: 15% Forgiveness
- Year 2: 15% Forgiveness
- Year 3: 20% Forgiveness
- Year 4: 20% Forgiveness
- Year 5: 30% Forgiveness
This program also has a lot of stipulations. Here are the key requirements:
- Must Teach At A Low Income School or Certain Subjects - You can find the list of qualifying schools here.
- The Qualifying Subjects Include - math, science, foreign language, bilingual studies, and others that have been determined to be in shortage in your state.
- Private Schools Potentially Eligible - If your school is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, it is eligible under this program.
The difficult part of Perkins loans is that they are administered by your college where you received the loan. In order to apply for forgiveness, you need to reach out to your loan servicer or the financial aid office where you received the Perkins Loan.
Option 4. State-Based Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
45 states and the District of Columbia all offer state-based student loan repayment assistance programs. These programs are designed to help states staff teachers in areas or programs where they have shortages.
We have a complete list of state-based student loan forgiveness programs here: Student Loan Forgiveness Programs By State.
It's important to note that, while you may qualify for multiple programs, you cannot overlap programs. For example, if you qualify for a state-based program, you cannot qualify for PSLF at the same time - you would need to do it sequentially.
That's why it's important to look at the value of the state-based program and your own situation prior to signing up for any program.
Secondary Ways To Get Student Loan Forgiveness For Teachers
Beyond these student loan forgiveness programs, there are "secret" student loan forgiveness options that most teachers don't realize. These are secondary ways to get loan forgiveness if something doesn't work out with the above programs (for example, you might stop teaching or working before you qualify).
This "secret" is that all income-based repayment programs (IBR, PAYE, RePAYE, ICR) all include student loan forgiveness on any remaining balance after the repayment period (typically 20 or 25 years). These programs are automatically part of your repayment plan, and you don't have to do anything to sign up (other than continue to maintain eligibility on the repayment plan).
So, if you somehow don't qualify for one of the forgiveness programs listed above, hope is not lost. It will just be a longer process, but you can still potentially get loan forgiveness.
How To Get Professional Help With Your Student Loans
It's important to note that you can do everything with your student loans yourself for free. StudentLoans.gov has a lot of great resources and online applications where you can apply for these programs. However, some people may want to pay for professional help with the student loan debt.
If you don’t qualify, refinancing your student debt presents an alternate opportunity to save thousands. Credible enables you to fill out one form and look at personalized offers from multiple lenders.
If you're not quite sure where to start or what to do, consider hiring a CFA to help you with your student loans. We recommend The Student Loan Planner to help you put together a solid financial plan for your student loan debt. Check out The Student Loan Planner here.
Final Thoughts
Student loan forgiveness for teachers is a real thing. Teachers have more options for student loan forgiveness than pretty much any other profession. If you're a teacher, you need to be taking advantage of these programs to get out of student loan debt.
It's essentially free money you're ignoring by not taking action. If you need help, reach out! There are lots of ways to get help to ensure you get the student loan forgiveness you deserve.
Carlee says
Hello! I am wondering if these options apply to those with a cosigner who is a teacher in a low-income area. My mom has been a teacher for 15+ years in a low income area and she was the cosigner for several of my brother’s student loans. Would that make his loans qualified for any of these programs? Or does it need to be the actual borrower who is a teacher?
Robert Farrington says
Likely no. When you say “cosigner”, you’re either talking about Parent PLUS Loans or private loans.
Parent PLUS Loans are loans that are 100% in her name. Learn about your options here: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/17101/options-if-you-cant-afford-your-parent-plus-loans/
Private loans are offered by private banks and typically require a cosigner. Both your mom and brother are equally responsible. Learn more about your options here: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/18536/options-if-you-cant-afford-your-private-student-loans/
Linda says
Can nurses this?
Robert Farrington says
Check this out: Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses
Victoria says
This guide is really helpful. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully I can pay up my student loan soon.
Robert Farrington says
Glad we could help!
Lillian Fines says
This is a scary process. It’s difficult to trust any one. I am always so skeptical of corporations saying they can help you. I was in touch with someone today whose fee is $895. I’m looking into if the Doan Solutions is a quality company.
Help…my college education is drowning me in finances.
Robert Farrington says
Hi Lillian, it can be difficult to know if a company is legitimate or a scam. We put together a guide with red flags to look for if you’re going to pay a company for help. Read this before moving forward with anyone: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/16429/is-your-student-loan-repayment-company-a-scam/
Becky Cain says
I consolidated my loans in 2005 but took out original loans prior to the 1998 date for the Teacher Forgiveness Loan. Which date will they look at in order to see if I qualify for the forgiveness?
Robert Farrington says
Since you had an “outstanding balance” in 1998, that will prevent you from getting Teacher Loan Forgiveness.
If you still are struggling to repay your loans, and are looking for forgiveness options, consider Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
You can re-consolidate your loans today, so you have a qualifying Direct loan.
Then, you would just have to meet the other criteria:
– Qualifying Repayment Plan
– 120 payments while working at a qualified employer
Amber Schultz says
My husband and I consolidated our loans together right after college. At the time (mid to late 1990’s) that “disqualified” us for forgiveness options according to Nelnet. I have taught special education in a title one public school for 10 years. Do we have new options?
Robert Farrington says
Ugh, spousal consolidation was the worst thing ever – and it’s gone for a reason. Sadly, there isn’t much you can do. You don’t have any forgiveness options and you can’t re-consolidate. You also are limited in your repayment plans as a result of the consolidation.
Stephanie says
Hello,
I have been paying $300 a month onfor close to ten years now. It’s still not even close to being paid off. I recently got a part time position as a Art Teacher at a low income school. Is there anything out there for me to lower or forgive my loans?
Robert Farrington says
You must have full time employment in public service to qualify. What’s your other job?
Jeff M says
Hello
My wife is a high school science teacher in MD. She has found out she quilfies for the 120 payments forgiveness. But can she do the 2 year 17500 forgiveness first which will help save some money if it’s paid to maybe one or two loans? Or will it disqualify her in some way?
Robert Farrington says
You can’t combine them at the same time. You can do them sequentially – but it doesn’t usually make sense to.
I would go after PSLF, get on the lowest repayment plan she qualifies for, not make any extra payments, and enjoy getting as much forgiven as possible.
Read this about why she shouldn’t pay more if she’s getting forgiveness: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/19797/pay-ahead-status-loan-forgiveness/
Consider this since you’re married, it could lower her payments even more: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/17807/the-math-behind-married-filing-separately-for-ibr-or-paye/
Leticia says
Thank you for all of the great advice. I have recently begun subbing and the same school i taught for three years prior. Can i still eventually apply for a loan forgiveness??
Robert Farrington says
Are you working full time? For PSLF, you must have full time public service employment.
However, it doesn’t have to be contiguous. Each of the 120 payments is counted individually, so if you go back to full time work, you can pick up where you left off.
Geraldine Lee says
I am a teacher and have been teaching(Math) at a secondary school consecutively for 5 years at a Title 1 school and want to apply for the loan forgiveness program. Can you please send me the link to submit my application or guide to the correct site.
Robert Farrington says
You can find more information about Teacher Loan Forgiveness and the application here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/teacher
However, if the $17,500 doesn’t cover the entire loan balance, it usually makes sense to go for PSLF if you qualify.
Shawn says
I am a full time high school math teacher and I am having trouble looking at some of these sites. I live in Florida but some of the sites come up blank when you search for low income schools in Florida. Any suggestions?
Robert Farrington says
Talk your your school district about which are Title 1 schools. Sorry the Department of Education doesn’t maintain their website anymore.
Also, remember, PSLF is better than Teacher Loan Forgiveness everyday.
Theresa Armstrong says
I am a Spanish teacher. I have worked at a Catholic School for 4 years full time before being picked up by a Charter School to be resourced out to all the Catholic Schools in the area. I have been with them for the now 3 years at full time. So I have been working 7 years straight full time. Does these years count for anything? Can I apply for the PSLF after ten years?
Robert Farrington says
Yes, if you can certify your employment in public service (which this sounds like it is), then you’re potentially 7 years towards forgiveness.
Remember, you need to certify your employment, have Direct student loans, and have been on a qualifying repayment program this entire time as well.
Sean says
Hi , two questions:
1) How long does this process take I will qualify in June 2018 this year? 2) When you are ready for the $ distribution do they pay you or the loan directly?
Thank you
Robert Farrington says
Hi Sean,
1. What process? PSLF? If you’ve made 120 payments, it typically takes another 1-3 months to process and see your loan forgiven.
2. When you are approved for forgiveness, it goes to the loan directly.
Ruthy says
Hi,
For student loan forgiveness – do you know if the 5 consecutive years of teaching at a qualified school have to be at the same school or can it be at different qualifying schools (i.e. three years at one, two at another)?
Thanks!
Robert Farrington says
The application states that you can use multiple schools if you can get their administrators to certify it.
George says
I’m a math teacher at a title one high school and I started my master program on my third year of teaching. To pay for my graduate classes I took out a direct unsubsidized loan. So after teaching for five straight years, will the loan that I took out to pay for my graduate classes be forgiven? I’m planning on applying for the teacher loan forgiveness. All my loans will combine to $16,500.
Robert Farrington says
As long as you meet the criteria, yes. And the 5 year clock starts when you’re done borrowing, not when you started.
Nathaniel McGee says
I am a full time teacher finishing up year 5. I teach agriculture education, which is very science based. For the first two years of my career I taught Horticulture as a general science credit class for my students but for the last three I have taught at a school that doesn’t give science credit for Horticulture. Would I qualify as a science teacher and receive up to $17,500 or the $5,000 level?
Robert Farrington says
Great question – I think you would need to ask your administration if Horticulture falls under science or elective (or maybe you already know). If it falls under science, then you should be good.
Mindy Dopler Nelson says
Would a newly hired university faculty qualify for any loan forgiveness? I am a Realtor helping newly graduated students who are relocating for their job to find a home within a reasonable distance from the university. Their huge student debts are preventing them from buying a home.
Robert Farrington says
They might potentially be able to get public service loan forgiveness depending on their employment status, loan type, and repayment plan.
However, most people with an income-driven repayment plan will struggle to qualify for a mortgage. Check this out: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/5742/reader-question-applying-mortgage-income-based-repayment/
Elizabeth says
Hi,
I am an elementary school teacher for a public school district in Vancouver, Washington. My school is considered a high-poverty school, and has been a title-one school for some of the years I’ve taught here. This week, on June 15th, 2018, I am completing my 20th year, all at the same school.
About 3 years ago I applied for the Teacher Loan forgiveness, and the PSLF, and was denied both. I had gone over both applications with a fine tooth comb prior to applying for the loan forgiveness . .Our head secretary, and principal who signed that we were indeed, a title school at the time both thought I’d qualify. Is it possible a mistake was made? , and perhaps I did qualify? I am applying “again” for the PSLF because when I called studentaid.gov (a month or so ago), I was practically told I’d qualify. So I figured I’d try again. It’s been a month and I haven’t heard anything yet. I’ve been paying on this consolidated loan since 2005, or 2006? Loan was $41,000 then, and now, it’s June 2018 with a $9,100 balance. Always Auto payments, so I have Never been late. I didn’t even bother with the Teacher loan forgiveness program. Too complicated. Any advice? Thank you!
Robert Farrington says
You can’t have both Teacher Loan Forgiveness and PSLF at the same time. That could have been a problem if you applied for both.
The big derailers I see, especially if you have old student loans, is you don’t have Direct Loans (you have FFEL loans).
Are you sure you meet all the criteria for PSLF:
1. Direct Loans
2. Income-Driven Repayment Plan
3. Qualifying Employment (this you’ve said)
Alie says
Hello, I am newly graduated college student trying to understand my options. I am wondering if any of the loan forgiveness programs require you to be working at the same school for the entire time you are paying off your loans to qualify. Say for instance I want to change schools but they are both title 1 schools, will I still qualify after 5 years or 10 years depending on the program I choose?
Robert Farrington says
First, unless you have only $17,500 in debt (or very close to it), then don’t even consider teacher loan forgiveness. Look at PSLF, as it’s the better deal. For PSLF, you can work a bunch of places, you just need to have 120 months of full time employment in the public sector (along with the other requirements).
kulsum malik says
I consolidated my federal student loans a few years ago and now they say my total payments restarted then? I am a public school teacher with $50,000 in federal student loans.
Robert Farrington says
When you consolidated your loans, you eliminated your old loans and you started a new loan. As such, any past payments don’t count towards PSLF. This is one of the biggest dangers of student loan consolidation.
kulsum malik says
Thank you so much for replying. I have $50,000 in federal student loans. As a teacher I was required to obtain a Masters and had no other way to pay for it.
Can I appeal that I did not know that consolidating my loans would reset PSLF?
I am also dealing with cancer and am near retirement age.
Please advise
T says
If I have not consolidated my loans into “Direct” Loans yet, does that mean that all prior loan payments made do not qualify toward the 120 payments for PSLF?
Currently, I have 3 consecutive years teaching special education at a school that is listed on the Teacher Cancellation website.
Do you think it would make the most sense for me to FIRST apply for the 3-year teacher loan cancellation.
THEN, to consolidate my loans into DIRECT loans and begin repayment towards my 120 PSLF ?
Also, my loans have been on IBR for the past five years.
Thank You!!!
Robert Farrington says
It really depends on what the balance of your loans is, what your payment is, how much forgiveness you can get.
You’re correct – non direct loans don’t count towards PSLF. However, there is a backdoor to get qualified, but it only helps if you’re close to getting forgiveness.
You can do Teacher Loan Forgiveness, then PSLF, but you might not see much forgiveness on PSLF depending on your balance and payment. You’d want to do the math and see which makes more sense.
Amanda says
Hello,
I am starting my 6th year teaching Special Education in a Title One school. I have been on the IDR repayment plan. Will that one qualify for the PSLF plan?
Robert Farrington says
Remember, PSLF has three requirements:
1. Direct Loans (check this – you didn’t mention it)
2. Public service employment (sounds like you qualify)
3. Income-driven repayment (sounds like you qualify)
Then, submit the certification form for all years of teaching that qualify. If you’ve been at the same school, should be easy enough. If you’ve moved around, you need to track down those old HRs.
Amanda says
Hello,
Yes, sorry I do have direct loans. My next questions are about when to apply-do we apply before the 10 years starts or after we have completed all 10 years? Also, do the 120 payments start over each time you have a missed or late payment? I ask because when reapplying for IDR, there was a hiccup in the application process and while I was able to have them help resolve it, I did not make payments during the time (as they wanted $1200 per month).
Thank you!
Robert Farrington says
You want to certify your employment every year. No mandatory, but recommended. Then, once you reach 120 qualifying payment, you apply for forgiveness.
Each payment is counted individually – you can have gaps. The goal is get to 120 qualifying payments.
Ethel Laczko says
Hi! I need help with this. Have worked for a public school for over 20 years and have been paying my son’s student loan for the past 10 years I was surprised to learn that I do not qualify for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, in fact, my bill says PSFL 0 years when I have paid for almost 10 years already-Could you shine some light in this case? Thanks !
Robert Farrington says
There are three criteria for PSLF, and you likely don’t meet one or more:
1. Direct Loans (given the age of your loans, it’s likely you have FFEL loans, not Direct Loans)
2. Qualifying Repayment Plan (what plan are you on – only income-driven repayment plans qualify)
3. Qualifying employment
Krista says
My daughter is in her last year of getting her elementary education degree. We were going to set up payments to go ahead and start paying on her loan. Will this dismiss her in anyway from applying for the loan forgiveness later on?
Robert Farrington says
Why are you setting up a payment plan for your daughter (or are you paying the loan)? Or is it a Parent PLUS Loan in your name?
If you want her to qualify for loan forgiveness, you need an income-driven repayment plan for her.
Matt says
I am a highly qualified math teacher beginning my third year teaching in a title 1 public school. Prior to accepting this position, I worked as an adjunct math professor at a NYS accredited community college for 8 years earning 6 years of service credit in the NYS teacher’s retirement system. Could any of this time as an adjunct count toward my 5 years for teacher loan forgiveness or must I wait until I reach 5 years in my current job? Thank you for any advice you can give me.
Robert Farrington says
Was your employment at any point considered full time (30 hours per week)? If so, a better route might actually be PSLF – you’d have 3 years at your current school plus time as a professor?
If not, no, that past non-full time employment doesn’t count.
Bridget says
For the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, do you have to work at the same Title 1 school for 5 years in order to qualify? Or can you work at one school for 2 years that qualifies and then get a new job at a different title one school?
Thanks for your help.
Robert Farrington says
You can switch, just make sure you certify both (especially the one before you leave).
MK Koecheler says
Hi
I hope you are still answering on this feed! I am having trouble figuring out if I will qualify for PSLF while working at a Catholic School. I have a year at a public school under my belt, but recently switched to a Catholic elementary school. Do you happen to know if Catholic school teachers can still qualify for PSLF?
Thank you
Robert Farrington says
If you perform full time teaching duties, you should be fine. However, if you’re part time teaching and do part time work in other areas of the church, then no.
Jake says
Hey Robert, I appreciate you answering questions, it has been helpful reading them. I have a question regarding new loans and PSLF. I have undergraduate loans that currently have around 40 qualifying payments on them and total close to 50K from 2005-2010. I recently finished grad school for administration but am still teaching. I took on around 20K in new debt from 2016-2018 at an average of 5.75% with these loans. Would you recommend consolidating and entering repayment on these new loans or entering them into the PSLF? It seems entering them into the PSLF could be a mistake if I secure a higher paying administration job within the next couple of years and my payment skyrockets because of this. Right now I am paying $57/month with a wife and two kids for my undergrad loans from 2005-2010.
Robert Farrington says
Hi Jake,
PSLF has nothing to do with your repayment plan. You definitely need to enter repayment on the loans – and it never hurts to select an income-driven plan that qualifies you for PSLF. Even if your income rises a bunch, your income driven payment will never rise above your standard plan payment amount. So, either way, you win. If you qualify for PSLF, then always certify your loans.
Also, consolidation for the new loans doesn’t matter (it’s a personal preference if you want a single loan or multiple), but whatever you do, DO NOT CONSOLIDATE your older loans into these new ones. If you do, you now have a new loan, and you lose all the 40 previously qualifying payments.
Jake says
Wow, that helps a TON! I do not know why I was making it so confusing for myself, but you cleared it up nicely for me. I appreciate you taking the time to read my question and respond, it helps tremendously. Thanks again!
Yousef says
Do any of these apply to high school English teachers? I see math, science, foreign language, and special ed, but I don’t see English or any social studies anywhere…
Robert Farrington says
Option 1 – Public Service Loan Forgiveness, applies to all teachers who teach in public school and non-profit schools.
Brandon says
Had 5k forgiven in 2008 for teaching 5 years in a low income school. That paid off my bachelors student loans. Went back for my Masters and completed it in 2013. Loan period was 2011-2013. Anyway to get anymore forgiven? Thanks
Robert Farrington says
If you’re still teaching, PSLF is a great program. You potentially qualify as a teacher, you just need to meet the rest of the criteria (loan type and payment plans).
Josephine says
Hi Robert,
Thanks for all your answers! I teach full-time at an eligible HS for the 5-yr forgiveness program. I teach business courses, 2 of which are math courses. So, I’m a full-time teacher that teaches math, but not a full-time math teacher. Would I be eligible for $5000 or $17500 of forgiveness? Thanks!
Robert Farrington says
Are you classified as a math teacher? If so, the higher amount. If not, the no. It’s a discussion you need to have with your principal. Might be able to make something happen.
Lissette says
I just started my 6th year teaching science at a title I secondary school. I currently do not have any student loans, but I am interested in getting my masters degree. Do my past 5 years of teaching count towards future loans? Or would I need 5 years teaching from when I took out loans for my masters? I haven’t been able to find any information online that is about this kind of situation. Thanks in advance.
Robert Farrington says
No, only employment and payments after the disbursed date will count.
Lissette says
Oh ok. Thank you for your reply. To clarify, the 5 years of teaching would start once I took out the loan and began receiving money from lender? Or once I started making payments on said loans ?
Robert Farrington says
Once you start making payments.
Jessica says
My husband is in his 5th consecutive year at the same school but this year (2018-2019) is the first year his school has has been considered Title 1. Will he have to teach another 4 years at this school to be eligible for the teacher loan forgiveness program or would the previous years count?
Robert Farrington says
Yes, he would have to go 4 more years, but a better path forward would likely be PSLF – not Teacher Loan Forgiveness. PSLF will forgive the entire loan amount if he qualifies for it.
Aimee says
Hello,
I taught in Wisconsin for 4 years at a low income school. Are there any loan forgiveness programs available for me?
Thank you for your time.
Aimee
Robert Farrington says
Are you still teaching or you taught in the past? If you’re still teaching, you potentially can get Teacher Loan Forgiveness in year 5 if you qualify (read the article above).
Eli says
I understand that perkins loans do not qualify for PSLF forgiveness, but wonder if I can keep my perkins loan and work toward having it cancelled while also working toward PSLF for my other loans. As a nurse working for a 501c3 my perkins loan is deferred and will be fully cancelled in another 2.5 years, meaning as long as I work full time as a nurse I don’t need to make payments. My loans will all be deferred for another few months as I just finished a school program. Currently my direct loans are with Great Lakes. I have a few FFEL loans to consolidate and since I have not yet made any qualifying payments on any of my loans am considering just consolidating everything except the perkins loan and selecting FedLoan as my servicer so I can then upload the employment certification file rather than mailing it.
Robert Farrington says
Yes, you can pick and choose which loans to consolidate, which loans will get PSLF.
As soon as your submit your first certification, you will transfer to FedLoan regardless.
Check out our guide to loan consolidation: The Ultimate Guide To Student Loan Consolidation
LC says
I received $5,000 in forgiveness about 6 years ago after teaching elementary school for 5 years. Since then, I have taught secondary math at a low-income school for 2 years. Will I be eligible for $17,500 in forgiveness in 3 years, or would it just be $12,500 since I already received $5,000 before? Thanks for your help.
Robert Farrington says
So you received your Teacher Loan Forgiveness 6 years ago. But then took a break for 4 years, and are now back teaching for the past 2 years? Or did you teach the entire time?
Just a note, once you’ve received your $5,000, you are done with Teacher Loan Forgiveness and cannot get any more – that’s the lifetime max.
If you have Direct Loans, the better approach at this point is to go for PSLF (like the article says). You have 4 years to go if you worked at a school or non-profit for the past 6 years.
Mark says
My daughter teaches Math at a qualified school, in Texas. She is in her 3rd year. She started with $56,000 in loans and has paid them down to $30,000. At her current rate she will have all her loans paid off before she finishes her 5th year. If she has paid off her loans before the 5th year is there anything she can get refunded after she completes the 5th year.
Robert Farrington says
No. If she’s going for any type of forgiveness, she should probably switch repayment plans… Or, if she just wants them paid off, good for her!
Katrina says
Are loans that are received for Masters of Teaching programs also forgivable? Or just undergraduate loans?
Robert Farrington says
Doesn’t matter what the loan was for, just the loan type. Do you have a Grad PLUS Loan, or other type of loan?
Katrina says
It is a Direct Unsub Stafford Loan.
Robert Farrington says
Great – that loan type qualifies for the programs mentioned above.
Luke says
Thanks for compiling all this information in one place! I recently read that if you do the income-based repayment plans and finish out the term (25 or 30 years or whatever), then the amount that gets forgiven must be claimed as income on your taxes. Sadly this can be a ton of money for some folks. Fortunately this is not the case for any amount forgiven under PSLF. Just this might be worth adding under that section. Thanks!
Robert Farrington says
Yes, you’re correct – it’s considered taxable income today. However, our estimates are about 80% of people who get insolvency under programs like IBR will actually not owe any taxes, or significantly reduced taxes, due to insolvency. Check this out: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/22725/student-loan-debt-forgiveness-insolvency/
Elizabeth Maldonado says
I have not taught for 6 years. Unfortunately I was not aware of Teacher Forgiveness Loans. I worked in a title 1 school for 14 years. Do I still qualify for any loan forgiveness programs?
Robert Farrington says
Where do you work today? If you’re employed by a school, the government, or a non-profit, you can still qualify for PSLF (see the article above). Your previous teacher work can qualify for this as each of the 120 qualifying payments are counted individually.
Kyle says
Hello. Forgive me if this question was previously answered. I have direct loans disbursed from 2011-14 which currently total 29k. I’m about to complete my 5th year as a speech pathologist in a title 1 school. Sounds good thus far, right? My concern is I had loans for an undergrad degree from 1997-2001 that were paid off by 02. Though not the loans in question, do these early loans prevent me from qualifying for teacher loan forgiveness?
Thanks for your time.
Robert Farrington says
They shouldn’t.
Coleen Chapman says
I’m really confused about the 1998 timeline. My first loans were dispersed August 1998 but I didn’t graduate until 2005. My graduate dates were from 2005-2007. Are you saying that I am ineligible from the 17,500 due to a 5 month discrepancy.
Robert Farrington says
Yes, your loans were dispersed too early to qualify for Teacher Loan Forgiveness. By any chance did you consolidate your loans and maybe you have Direct Loans now? If so, PSLF is a better route anyway.
Riley says
Hello,
You’ve said many times that you can’t do the PSLF and Teacher Loan Forgiveness at the same time, however do you know if you can do the Perkins Loan Forgiveness at the same time as one of these? I have both direct loans (through Great Lakes) and Perkins Loans (managed by a company called ECSI), so the accounts are totally separate. It would be a bummer to start getting my (smaller) Perkins loans forgiven then find out that makes me ineligible for one of the direct loan options after 5 or 10 years. Thanks!
Robert Farrington says
You can do Perkins loans and a program for your direct loans at the same time. Perkins loans are very different loan types and operate under their own set of rules.
Sarah E Thiemann says
I had an undergraduate FFEL loan from prior to 1998 that I paid off in 1999. Then I took out a graduate school loan in 2001, became a special ed teacher and have worked at a title 1 school for 5 years. Is my graduate school loan from 2001 eligible for loan forgiveness, or am I disqualified because I had a loan prior to 1998, even though I paid it off and it is not loan I am asking forgiveness for?
Robert Farrington says
You were a borrower in 1998 so you aren’t eligible. However, if you have a large balance, you can think about re-consolidating and going for PSLF. But you would need to do the math on that and see if it makes sense.
paula says
I heard a rumor that the Teacher Loan Forgiveness was cut by the Trump Administration recently (or is proposed to be cut), do you know if this is true?
Robert Farrington says
Negative. Trump has proposed (for the third time) to eliminate Public Service Loan Forgiveness. We break down Trump’s proposals here: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/21636/trump-student-loan-forgiveness/
Tamika Fluker says
This sounds really great and helpful. As a teacher in a low income school for 13 years, and human service worker for 20 years, I’ve applied for loan forgiveness and have been denied due to having taken out school loans prior to 1998. In fact my college dates were 1994-1999. ☹️Any suggestions?
Robert Farrington says
If you still have a balance and probably will for the next 10 years, re-consolidate into Direct loans and go for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Teri says
I wanted to know if I may be able to apply for teacher loan forgiveness. I’ve have been teaching 15 plus years all in low income based or title 1 schools. However my loan were provided to me back in 1989. I enrolled in IBR but have to place the loan in deferment. Spoken with student loan adivisor and they informed me that I fall into the grandfather clause: loan before 1994 have to be paid in full before i could receive forgiveness for the other loans outstanding.
Robert Farrington says
Sadly, your advisor was correct. You cannot have had an outstanding loan balance before 1998.
Yazmin Lopez says
I work for a community college, and there we have a preschool that serves over 89 low income subsidized children. Do I qualify for the loan forgiveness ?
Robert Farrington says
If you are employed by the college (not a contractor), it doesn’t matter what you actually do. You could be a janitor or landscaper. Your employment would qualify. Read this to see what other criteria you need to meet: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/22857/public-service-loan-forgiveness/
Jan says
I have been working for 20 years in title 1 schools( since July of 1999. My loans were taken out in 1995 and I paid them off 10 years ago. Is there any type of loan forgiveness that I should apply for?
I know I consolidated subsidized and unsubsidized at some point to get a fixed interest rate with Sallie Mae.
Robert Farrington says
You already paid them off? Then there is nothing left to do! You’re debt free!
Brenda says
I am looking at the Teacher Loan Forgivness application. I taught for 4.5 years (fall 2012-spring 2017) at a Title 1 school, I left mid-year Feb 2017 and took a position as a Diagnostician at a different school district. This fall (2019) I will be returning to the same Title 1 school I taught at for 4.5 years as a classroom teacher. Would I be eligible or should I wait to apply after the Fall semester? Or do I have to teach for 5 more years? Thank you in advance! 🙂 My student loan debt is only from my Master’s degree (2014-2016).
Robert Farrington says
Since your loan debt is from 2016, you need to have taught or worked in a qualifying place after that.
And only you can do the math – does it make sense to go for the smaller amount of loan forgiveness via TLF, or should you wait 10 years to get it all forgiven?
Brenda says
Thank you for your response! I actually only have $5,000 of debt total. I should add I will be returning to the classroom so that I can go back to school and enter a doctoral program. Thank you so much for your help!
Ashley says
I am currently a self contained sped teacher in a Title 1 school. Completed 11 years teaching same subject and school. I am considering getting my Masters. But have not applied because I do not want to go in debt. When would I apply for the forgiveness loan? Do you think I will be approved? Even if I get my Masters in Early Childhood? Thank you!
Robert Farrington says
Read the article – you have two paths. Teacher Loan Forgiveness and PSLF. You would go to school, take on the loans, make the payments after you graduate, and you either have 5 or 10 years of loan payments before you get forgiveness. You would need to decide which path makes the most sense based on your loan balance.
Note: getting a graduate degree is usually the biggest cause of financial hardships due to student loans. Is the degree really worth it? Will any potential salary increase offset the costs?
Keegan Darby says
I am currently a 1st grade teacher, finishing my third year of teaching. I taught at a Title I school my first year. What would you recommend to receive help with my student loans?
Robert Farrington says
If you’re no longer at a title 1 school, then you should go for PSLF!
Matthew says
I am trying to figure out if I have any options on loan forgiveness. I just completed five years of teaching in the special education field. Four of the five years of my teaching was through a low-income school. Do I have any options? All years were in the special education field.
Robert Farrington says
Read the article! You have two choices – Teacher Loan Forgiveness or Public Service Loan Forgiveness. You’re short on the requirements for both, so figure out which is the best course to pursue based on your loan balance and life goals.
Chris says
I am currently a high school science teacher that has been teaching for 17 years. I am going back to Graduate School to get my masters in Science Education. What type of loan can be forgiven for this tuition? I teach in a low-income school. Thanks for the information!
Robert Farrington says
Well first, is it worth it? Second, if you’re sure only borrow Federal loans. If you stay in a Title 1 School and teach science, you can get $17,500 forgiven in 5 years. If you exceed that amount of borrowing, then you should go for PSLF – which is 10 years.
Given you’ve already been teaching 17 years, you’re going to go to school for 2 years, then you’re going to have to teach another 10 years (likely) to get forgiveness – once again, are you sure it’s worth it? Just double check the math of your life here!
Madeleine Robertson says
I have several direct loans totaling $19,200 from my masters degree. I am a special ed teacher in a title 1 school and am hoping to get teacher loan forgiveness. I have only finished 1/2 year out of the 5 years required but plan to finish it out. My question is forebearance. Obviously I would love to get the max forgiven of $17500. I would like to get the mandatory forbearance for teachers and only pay the interest during these 5 years. Am I better off to pay off one loan to drop my principal to $17500 in hopes of being granted forebearance or paying the monthly payment until it drops that low?
Thank you.
Robert Farrington says
Risky move. As you know, you must be less than $17,500. But given you still have 4.5 years to go – being in forbearance will add about $6,000 to your loan balance (at least) during this time. So, you’ve paid $2,000 today, then you get forgiveness in 5 years, and then you still owe another $6,000… which you’d have to deal with.
I think a better course of action is to go for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. If you’re on an income-driven plan, you’ve already made at least 6 qualifying payments. You have to get to 120 (10 years), but the complete balance of your loan is forgiven tax-free.
If you go for Teacher Loan Forgiveness, you’re in it for 5 years plus whatever it takes for that remaining 6,000 – plus your $2,000 to start the process, plus your time already invested.
You have to do the math, but it seems like PSLF is a bit better.
As a bonus, if your income is low enough, your qualifying payment amount could be $0.
Madeleine says
Thank you for the information. This is a confusing process. Just one more question. Where would the $6000 come from? Are you talking about interest on the $17,500.
Robert Farrington says
When you’re in forbearance, your loan keeps growing and accruing interest (yes, on that $17,500). Then more interest on the bigger loan. So, after 4.5 years of this, you’re going to see at least $6,000 added to the balance, if not more. Then, once you get your Teacher Loan Forgiveness, you’re still left with that remaining balance to deal with.
It’s why I recommend most teachers go for PSLF versus TLF, unless they have loan balances well under that $17,500 level.
Melissa S. says
Robert,
Thank you for the information that you have provided above. I am truly embarrassed to be asking this question, but here goes. Due to some very bad health problems that has plagued me for the last 14 + years, my student loans have gone into default. I started my education VERY late in life, at the age of 34, and in 2006 at the age of 41 I received my Bachelors degree in Education: 4 – 8 Math/Science. I started teaching in right away and taught through to the 2014 – 2015, when my health took me out of the classroom.
Due to the staggering health costs, thanks to he whom shall remain nameless in our house because of his awesome O-care, my husband and I can barley afford my almost $300 – $400 in medicine much less pay anything towards my defaulted student loans. Any help or suggestions you can give me in this matter would be awesome.
Thank You,
Melissa
Robert Farrington says
Are you considered permanently disabled and receiving SSI? If so, you’d be eligible for loan forgiveness.
Second, getting on an income-based repayment plan after getting out of default would put your payments extremely low (or even $0) if you have no income.
Carrie says
Hi! I am submitting my teacher loan forgiveness paperwork to Navient this week, but I currently owe them less than $5K on my loans. Is there any chance that the remainder of my forgiveness can be applied to my husband’s loans with Navient? Thanks!
Robert Farrington says
Negative. But congrats on your loan forgiveness!
Ann Marie says
Hello,
What a service you are providing! I’m hoping you can shed some light on a question I’ve been researching for way too long. PSLF and K-12 Charter schools operated by management companies (designated as LLCs). Is this qualifying employment? The work performed is public education, the setting is public education/government (charters are free public schools), but our employer and checks are from the management company. Does this count?! Thank you so much.
Robert Farrington says
As of right now, if you’re employed by a for-profit management company, you’re not eligible. The Department of Education views your employment as for-profit, since the firm running the charter school is for-profit. Sadly, that’s terrible for you – and only a few states even allow for-profit management companies to run charter schools so it’s a rare problem.
You can appeal this to the Department of Education if you’re close to the 120 payment mark and they deem your employment not eligible, but I haven’t seen anyone be successful with that approach yet.
Tyler says
Hey I have a very specific question I haven’t been able to find any answers to online. I am a full-time special ed teacher in a low-income school and I just started my 5th year in the district. Meaning, I will qualify for the 17,500 Teacher Loan Forgiveness on my Direct Loans once this school year ends. My question is this. As of today I owe just over 19,000. In the middle of this year, sometime in Feb or March I’ll owe less than 17,500. I’m tempted to stop paying at that point since I’d be paying on money that’s going to be forgiven in just a few more months, not to mention the month it may take for my application to go through and then another month for them to approve it. I don’t want to pay off debt that I know will be forgiven once my application is approved. BUT if I stop paying won’t I be delinquent, which then affects my credit? My question is essentially, how can I maximize the amount I would get forgiven while keeping my credit intact and not going delinquent? Essentially, how can I avoid paying the extra $2,500 or so into the $17,500 which would be forgiven? While I wait to finish the school year and get my teacher loan forgiveness app approved, how can I avoid paying $320 a month for 6-8 months on money I’m going to be forgiven in the summertime?
Any help with this would be great. Thanks.
Robert Farrington says
You go a little bit under the $17,500, and then you apply for a Teacher Loan Forgiveness Forbearance (Google the form). You will still accrue a bit of interest, but it’s better than the full amount you’d pay.
Tyler says
Thanks so much Robert.
Tyler says
Do you know how long it typically takes to receive a response to the teacher loan forgiveness forbearance request? I use nelnet as my loan servicer and I think they’ll even let me do it online.
Rachel says
Thank you for all of your advice! I’ve been researching and can’t find a specific answer to my situation. I’m looking to qualify for the $5,000 in loan forgiveness, as I have Direct loans from 2004-2014. I’ve taught for five years at a title 1 school, but during years 2 and 3, I was part time (4/7ths to be exact). I know I need 5 full years, but the form says they must be consecutive. Does this mean I need to teach another 3 years, so that my consecutive years are all full time (years 4-8), or does it mean I need to teach one more year, thus making up the 6/7ths I missed in years 2 and 3? Also, if pulled for an audit, where does the Department of Education look for proof? According to my school’s records, I’m starting my 6th year, and according to the Office of Retirement Services, I have 4.93 years in (they have one of my part-time years recorded as a full year…not sure how, but that’s what it says).
Thank you SOOOO much for all your help, Robert!
Robert Farrington says
Yuck. I’m sorry. Your 5 year started in Year 3, since the second and third years weren’t full time (there are exceptions, but it doesn’t sound like you have this). So, now you’re starting in year 4. So yes, three more years for Teacher Loan Forgiveness.
A better question is, since you have direct loans, if you have a qualifying repayment plan, why not go for PSLF? Do you owe more than $5,000? Do you have a qualifying repayment plan? If so, PSLF doesn’t require continuous employment. As such, your year 1 payments count. So do you “employed” payments in years 2&3. Since retirement services says you have 4.93 years – you likely have that in qualifying PSLF payments as well. If you’re already going another 3 years at least – just go the full 5 and get everything forgiven.
Rachel says
Thank you for you prompt and informative reply, Robert. Here’s another tricky question about PSLF. I’ve been repaying faithfully on the standard plan since I began teaching, but I made a large payment several years ago, and I was surprised when, after making the payment, my next payment due date was 16 months later. I didn’t realize it recognized my over-payment as future payments divided up over future months. I opted not to pay on the loan until it came due again. Does that 16 month period mean that I didn’t make consecutive, on-time payments? Does that mean I need to recount my 120 starting after that time?
Also, I just started working toward my master’s, which is being financed by Direct loans. Because I’m back in school full time, my loans just went into deferment, and my monthly balance online is zero. Does that mean my repayment total toward 120 is frozen, or is it back at zero if I don’t pay my usual monthly payment this month?
I hope this makes sense, and I truly appreciate your help.
Rachel says
I apologize, Robert, I just reread everything and see they don’t need to be consecutive. However, I’m assuming I do need to keep paying while I’m in deferment if I want to reach the 120 payments sooner, correct? Do I just keep paying the amount I was before? This really isn’t accurate anymore because my loans will be higher as I keep borrowing to pay for my schooling, right?
Robert Farrington says
Yes, you actually don’t want to go into deferment. You want to be on an income-driven repayment plan – if you have no income, your payments could still be $0.
Rachel Shephard says
Thank you for all your advice, Robert!
Robert Farrington says
Sadly, that 16 month period of time doesn’t count. Read this: Pay Ahead Status and Loan Forgiveness.
Note: PSLF doesn’t require consecutive payments. You never go back to zero – each loan has it’s own “count” of payments and you just have to get that loan to 120 qualifying payments.
Deferments don’t count towards your PSLF payments either. It’s not a payment – it’s deferment.
Diana says
Such an informative post!
My spouse’s loans are tricky. He has an FFEL loan than shows a “loan date” on the NSLDS of 8/24/98. However the “disbursement date” on this loan is shown as 11/23/98. Does this loan still qualify for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness since the disbursement date is after the 10/1/98 date?
Robert Farrington says
That particular loan is fine since the disbursement date is after 10/1/98. However, if there were any other loans prior to that date, he/she is still ineligible (because there would be a balance on that date).
Diana says
Thank you so much! We were denied because the lender has said it’s the loan date that disqualifies him. The only other loan before that date he had was a Perkins loan. Will that loan disqualify him from the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program?
Robert Farrington says
Yes, since there was a loan balance on that date.
Diana Bowen says
Even though a Perkins Loan is not an FFEL or Direct Loan? My argument is the qualification states, “You must not have had an outstanding balance on Direct Loans or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans as of Oct. 1, 1998, or on the date that you obtained a Direct Loan or FFEL Program loan after Oct. 1, 1998,” and since a Perkins loan isn’t one of those, he should still qualify. Thank you so much again!
Robert Farrington says
You can appeal it and see what they say. My guess is that it’s the Perkins loan. My second guess is that he had an outstanding balance from however he paid for the first semester at school.
Denise Clarke says
Hello, Mr. Farrington.
I have been teaching (math ) in a Title 1 school( 2) since 2003.
The original creditor of my loan is the US Department of Education.
My student loan has been referred to Action Financial Services.
The loan is about $12,000.
I got the loan on or before May 1995.
How do I go about getting Public Service Loan Forgiveness?
Thank you.
Denise Clarke
Robert Farrington says
You would need to re-consolidate your loan to a Direct Student Loan, and then make 10 years of qualifying payments following the guidelines here: PSLF Guidelines.
You would also want to do some math to see if 10 years is worth waiting – as you’ve already been paying 16 years. Depending on your repayment plan you’re on, you could see forgiveness at the 20 or 25 year mark – both of which are slightly better than PSLF, not including taxes.