PSLF Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for PSLF you need to meet five criteria.

 

1. Be employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization

The following types of organizations do not quality for PSLF: labor unions, partisan political organizations and for-profit organizations.  

Borrowers must certify their employment with qualified employers.  Employment certifications are made on the PSLF Certification and Application form.  It is recommended that a certification of employment be completed and submitted every year while you are making progress towards PSLF. 

The employment certification section of the PSLF Application will need to be certified by a manager who has access to your employment or service records and is authorized by your employer to certify your employment. This will often be someone in the human resources department, though in some cases your direct supervisor or another individual may be authorized to certify your employment. Check with your employer to see who is authorized to certify your employment.  

If you do not submit the PSLF Certification and Application annually, then at the time you apply for forgiveness, you will be required to submit employment certifications for each employer you worked for while making the required 120 qualifying monthly payments. 

 

2. Work full-time for that agency or organization.

If you meet your employer’s definition of full-time or work at least 30 hours per week, whichever is greater.

 

3. Have Direct Loans under the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program.

Loans from the following federal student loan programs don't qualify for PSLF:  

• Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and the Federal Perkins Loan (Perkins Loan) Program, unless they are consolidated using the Direct Consolidation Loan Application.
• Student loans from, or refinanced with, a private lender do not qualify for PSLF.

 

4. Repay your loans under an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.

Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans were first established in the 1990’s to make student loan debt more manageable and reduce the number of borrowers who default on their loans.  IDR plans offer lower monthly payment options and loan debt discharge after 10-25 years of payment.   

Learn more about Income-Driven Repayment Plans. 

 

5. Make 120 qualifying payments.

A payment qualifies when it is made after October 1, 2007; under a qualifying IDR plan; for the full amount due as shown on your bill; within 15 days of your due date; and while you are employed full-time by a qualifying employer.

You can’t make a qualifying monthly payment while your loans are in an in-school status; during the grace period; in deferment; or in forbearance, except for the COVID-19 administrative forbearance.

 

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