Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Snapshot of the Application Process

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Snapshot of the Application Process

Paying For College, Student Loans | 0 comments

To qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), you must make 120 total monthly payments while:

  1. Enrolled in an Income-Driven Repayment Plan 
  2. Have Federal Direct Loans or have consolidated other federal student loans
  3. Working full-time for a government agency or certain types of nonprofit organizations

Before Graduating or Immediately Upon Graduation – check these eligibility requirements first and early on to plan for Public Service Loan Forgiveness:

  1. Check what kind of loan you have by logging in to www.StudentAid.gov.
  2. Confirm that you have a Federal Direct Loan that is not in default. This is the only federal loan that is eligible for PSLF. 
  3. If some of your federal student loans are not Direct Loans (FFEL and Perkins Loan), they need to be consolidated to qualify; this is likely your situation if you borrowed before 2011. Payments on FFEL or Perkins Loans made before you consolidate will not be counted. Depending on your circumstance there may be pros and cons to consolidating in order to apply for PSLF.

As You Start Working in Public Service – Document Your Employment Using the PSLF Application Form:

  1. Submit a PSLF application form every year or when you change employers. You’ll want to have documented every qualified employer where you worked while you made a payment towards PSLF. Especially if you have multiple public service employers.
  2. Make sure that your PSLF application form has all required fields completed. Incomplete forms or inconsistencies may affect your eligibility. If you do not meet a PSLF qualification, the response letter to your application will provide more information.
  3. Make sure you have all the information required: employer’s address, Employer Identification Number (EIN) which can be found on your Wage and Tax Statement (W-2), and consistent info with your previous application.

As You’re Working in Public Service – Submitting your forms using the PSLF Help Tool:

  1. Log in with your FSA ID. The tool will import your loan info automatically.
  2. The Tool will ask a series of questions to confirm you’re on the right track to loan forgiveness and that your employer qualifies for PSLF.
  3. Find out if your loans qualify and options available to you if they don’t.
  4. Get a signature from an “authorized official” at your employer, typically someone in your human resources office.
  5. Print and mail your completed form. Save and archive your documentation (PSLF application, response letters from FedLoan Servicing, and employment documents) in case there are any discrepancies.

After Working at Least 10 Years in Public Service – Applying for PSLF and Getting Your Loan Forgiven:

  1. Upon making your 120th payment you’re ready to apply for PSLF. You must still be working for a qualified employer when you submit your application.
  2. Gather your current employer information and any documentation used to prove previous employers qualified while you made payments towards PSLF.
  3. Complete and submit the PSLF application by using the PSLF Help Tool (see above), by mail, or fax. 
  4. If your PSLF application is approved, then all remaining balance including interest and outstanding principal will be forgiven. Any payments made after the required 120 will be refunded as well.

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