What is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
The PSLF Program was established to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the remaining balance of their Direct Loans after they have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer.
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What are the eligibility requirements for loan forgiveness under the PSLF Program?
You must be employed full-time by a qualifying employer when you make each of the required 120 qualifying payments on your Direct Loans, and also at the time you apply for loan forgiveness after making the last of those 120 payments, and when you receive loan forgiveness.
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Are loan amounts forgiven under PSLF considered taxable by the IRS?
No. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), student loan amounts forgiven under PSLF are not considered income for tax purposes. For more information, check with the IRS or a tax advisor.
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Does my income level determine eligibility for PSLF?
There is no income requirement to qualify for PSLF. However, since your required monthly payment amount under most of the qualifying PSLF repayment plans is based on your income, your income level over the course of your public service employment may be a factor in determining whether you have a remaining loan balance to be forgiven after making 120 qualifying payments.
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Can I be certain that the PSLF Program will exist by the time I have made my 120 qualifying payments?
We cannot make any guarantees about the future availability of PSLF. The PSLF Program was created by Congress, and Congress could change or end the PSLF Program.
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I have federal student loans from a program other than the Direct Loan Program. Can I qualify for PSLF?
PSLF is available only for Direct Loans. However, if you have loans made under another federal student loan program, you may consolidate those loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan, which is eligible for PSLF.
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