Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Apply before the deadline

Here’s why it is critical that you apply for PSLF before the end of 2023:

The AFT settled a landmark court case in October 2021 that set in motion significant, but temporary, changes to the eligibility requirements for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Since that time, we have heard from hundreds of members who have had their entire loan balances wiped away thanks to our union’s efforts.

If you have student debt and, like most AFT members, work for a public employer or nonprofit organization—regardless of whether you work in education, healthcare or another profession—you could have your entire debt balance forgiven, but YOU MUST APPLY before the end of 2023 to benefit from the temporary PSLF waiver and income-driven repayment readjustment. This now applies to Parent Plus Loan borrowers, but only for a limited time!

You do not have to have made 120 payments over 10 years to benefit from this temporary waiver right now. Even if you have only made some payments to qualify for PSLF, applying before the end of the year may move you significantly closer to achieving loan forgiveness because you may get additional credit for MORE payments AND for periods of deferment or forbearance that exceed 12 months consecutively or 36 months total. Don’t miss out. Apply before the end of 2023 if you want to take advantage of the temporary PSLF waiver and income-driven repayment adjustment.

The right path

Here are steps you can take now to make sure you’re on the right path:

1. Use the U.S. Education Department’s PSLF help tool to start your application right away.
   • Create or log in to your Federal Student Aid account. This is where your federal student loan information is available from the Education Department. The help tool walks you through the necessary steps to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Create your account or log in here.
   • Fill out the online portion of the PSLF application.
   • Once you’ve completed the help tool, download and print out the auto-generated form. Have your employer(s) sign page 2. Each employer you are trying to certify will need to sign their own page 2. Then submit the form to MOHELA, using the submission instructions at the top of page 4 on the form.
2. Need more information? Attend an AFT virtual student debt clinic for more details about how these programs work and what you can do to qualify. Sign up for an upcoming virtual clinic here.
    
3. Sign up for Summer, the free AFT member benefit that helps you navigate your student loans. Summer provides information and additional support to help you navigate applying for PSLF and other loan forgiveness options.