Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Potential forgiveness of the remaining balance after 120 qualifying payments; requires eligible employment and loans and depends on disbursement-date rules.
About Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
It is a federal forgiveness pathway for eligible borrowers who sustain qualifying public-service employment.
Generally, you need Direct Loans and full-time employment with a government agency or qualifying 501(c)(3) organization; the official tool helps verify the employer. Payments need not be consecutive, but each month must meet the applicable rules. Loans disbursed before and after July 1, 2026 may follow different rules, so the dashboard evaluates your history and plan.
Sign in to StudentAid.gov, use the PSLF Help Tool to identify employers, submit certification after job changes, and review the payment count. Before consolidating, check how it may affect credited payments. When you reach 120, remain in qualifying employment through the application and keep paying unless your servicer gives official instructions otherwise.
Who it serves and what it can cover: Potential forgiveness of the remaining balance after 120 qualifying payments; requires eligible employment and loans and depends on disbursement-date rules.
How to apply or get help: Sign in to StudentAid.gov, use the PSLF Help Tool to identify employers, submit certification after job changes, and review the payment count. Before consolidating, check how it may affect credited payments. When you reach 120, remain in qualifying employment through the application and keep paying unless your servicer gives official instructions otherwise. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
Public student financial-aid program