Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Learn About Your Options

Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a federal program for people who work full time in the public sector or for certain nonprofit organizations. It can lead to borrowers having their remaining federal student loan balance forgiven after 120 qualifying payments. Almost every AFT member is eligible for this program!

Join an AFT Student Debt Clinic

The transition of power in Washington, D.C., has created a lot of uncertainty for working people burdened by student debt. While we can’t currently predict what comes next with student loan repayment, we do recommend that you take the following steps to ensure you’re prepared for any changes that may occur.

1. Submit or Update Your Public Service Loan Forgiveness Forms

Make sure your qualifying payments and employment are certified.

Use the PSLF Help Tool to submit your forms directly to the Department of Education (no longer MOHELA).
💡 Pro tip: Submit forms even if you’re unsure about qualifying. This locks in your certifications for future reviews and payment counts!

2. Verify Your Payment Counts

Review your PSLF payment history on the Department of Education’s portal and with your loan servicer.

Correct any discrepancies as soon as possible.
💡 Pro tip: Save all payment records to ensure your progress is documented and discrepancies are easier to resolve!

3. Enroll in an Income-Driven Repayment Plan

Enroll in an income-driven repayment plan if you’re not already enrolled.

Note: Income recertifications are paused until February. Borrowers already enrolled in IDR should start looking out for recertification notices from the Department of Education and their servicer early next year.
💡 Pro tip: Enroll in an IDR plan now to avoid delays and ensure uninterrupted progress!

4. Keep Your Records

Save copies of all PSLF forms, employment certifications and payment confirmations for future reference.

Organized records will safeguard your progress and simplify future reviews.

Need Additional Help?

Don’t miss out. Take action now to safeguard your progress toward PSLF. The AFT has your back!

Watch a recent AFT Student Debt Clinic before Jan. 2, 2025: https://youtu.be/4YQAfmkyqz0

Live Student Debt Clinics resume on Jan. 2, 2025: Register for upcoming clinics here.

Amplify your voice by sharing your student debt story: https://go.aft.org/DebtJourney.

Check out the free Summer student loan repayment member benefit for additional support.

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Join Summer

If you’re eligible for AFT membership at your work site, contact your local union to become a member! But if you’re not eligible for AFT membership at your worksite, you can become an Associate Member here and be on your way to accessing Summer.

JOIN NOW