Who Qualifies?

You may qualify if you:

• Work full-time for a U.S. government (federal, state, local, or tribal) or a nonprofit organization

• Have federal Direct Loans

• Make 120 monthly payments (that’s 10 years) under a qualifying repayment plan

• Are working for a qualifying employer when you apply for forgiveness

Important: It doesn’t matter what your job title is. It matters who you work for. Use this tool to check if your employer qualifies:

PSLF Employer Search Tool

What Kind of Loans Work?

Only Direct Loans are eligible. That includes:

• Direct Subsidized Loans

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans

• Direct PLUS Loans (for grad students or parents)

• Direct Consolidation Loans

Not eligible:

• Private loans

• Perkins Loans or FFEL Loans (unless you consolidate them into a Direct Loan)

Learn about loan types and consolidation here: Student Loan Consolidation

What Kind of Payments Count?

To get PSLF, your 120 payments must:

• Be made in full and on time

• Be made while working full-time for a qualified employer

Make sure you're on a repayment plan that qualifies, such as:

• Income-Based Repayment (IBR)

• Pay As You Earn (PAYE)

• Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE)

• Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR)

• The 10-year Standard Repayment Plan

Use the Loan Simulator to see what plan works best for you:
Loan Simulator

How to Apply

To get started, you need to submit a PSLF Form. The easiest way is online using the PSLF Help Tool.

Click here to use the PSLF Help Tool

With this tool, you can:

• See if your employer qualifies

• Fill out your form online

• Send your form to your employer for digital signature

• Track your progress toward forgiveness

Tip: Submit a PSLF form every year or whenever you change jobs to stay on track.

How Long Does It Take?

You need to make 120 qualifying monthly payments. That takes at least 10 years. The payments don’t have to be in a row, if you switch jobs or pause payments, your progress stays with you.

Extra Notes

• You must still work for a qualifying employer when you apply for forgiveness.

• If you were in a pause (like during COVID), some of those months may still count if you certify your employment.

• If your loans aren’t Direct Loans, you can consolidate them to qualify.

Resources and Help

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Overview

• PSLF Form

• PSLF FAQs

• TEPSLF – Temporary Expanded PSLF

• Contact Your Loan Servicer or Call FSA: 1-800-433-3243

2026 PSLF Updates 

Beginning July 1, 2026, the federal government is expected to implement new PSLF rules that could limit which public service employees qualify for loan forgiveness. These changes stem from a proposed overhaul under the current administration, focusing on stricter employer eligibility and program oversight.

Key Points

• Employer Eligibility May Be Restricted
  Proposed rules could exclude organizations deemed to have a “substantial illegal purpose,” such as those involved in certain immigration or healthcare services. This means entire categories of public service workers may no longer qualify for PSLF.

• Risk of Retroactive Disqualification
  While not confirmed, there’s concern that previous qualifying payments could be disqualified if an employer is later ruled ineligible. Borrowers may lose credit for payments made before July 2026 if their employer falls under new restrictions.

• Employer Certification Requirements May Increase
  Employers may be required to self-certify their eligibility annually. This could add red tape and increase the administrative burden for both workers and organizations.

• Rulemaking Is Still Ongoing
  A rulemaking committee met in July 2025. Final regulations are expected to be published by mid-2026, with implementation beginning July 1, 2026.

• Borrowers Should Prepare Now
  Anyone pursuing PSLF should confirm their employment is currently certified and keep thorough documentation. Alternative repayment plans or forgiveness options should be considered if rules change unfavorably.