Student loan forgiveness isn’t just for teachers or public servants—there are actually more than a dozen federal and service-based programs that can wipe out part (or all) of your federal student loan debt. The problem is most borrowers don’t know which programs they qualify for, how they work, or how to apply. This guide breaks down the 14 most common student loan forgiveness programs in plain English so you can finally understand your options.
Whether you’re a teacher, nurse, nonprofit worker, military service member, lawyer, healthcare provider, or someone misled by a school—there may be a forgiveness path for you.
| Program | Forgiveness Amount | Who Qualifies? | Time to Forgiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) | Remaining balance | Government & nonprofit employees | 120 qualifying payments |
| Income-Driven Repayment Forgiveness (IDR) | Remaining balance | Anyone on IDR plan | 20–25 years |
| SAVE Short-Term Forgiveness | Remaining balance | Undergrad borrowers with small balances | 10–20 years based on balance |
| Teacher Loan Forgiveness | Up to $17,500 | Qualifying teachers (low-income schools) | 5 years |
| NURSE Corps (HRSA) | Up to 85% of loans | Eligible nurses in shortage areas | 2–3 years |
| NHSC Loan Repayment | Up to $50,000 (or more) | Eligible healthcare providers | 2 years |
| AmeriCorps / VISTA | Segal Award (Pell Grant equivalent) | Full-time service members | 1 year |
| Peace Corps | Counts toward PSLF + deferment | Peace Corps volunteers | 27 months |
| Military LRPs | Up to $50,000+ | New military enlistees | Varies |
| Borrower Defense to Repayment | Full cancellation | Misled by school | Varies |
| Closed School Discharge | Full cancellation | School closed while enrolled | Immediate |
| Total & Permanent Disability Discharge (TPD) | Full cancellation | Qualifying medical disability | Varies |
| Perkins Loan Cancellation | Up to 100% | Certain service jobs | 1–5 years |
| Equal Justice Works / LRAP | Varies | Lawyers in public interest roles | Varies |
PSLF is the most well-known forgiveness program and one of the most powerful. If you work full-time for a qualifying employer—government or 501(c)(3) nonprofit—you can have your entire remaining balance forgiven after 120 qualifying payments.
Even if you don’t qualify for PSLF, you can still receive forgiveness through your repayment plan. Any borrower who makes qualifying payments for 20 or 25 years under an IDR plan can have their remaining balance forgiven.
For payoff strategies and ways to manage balances over time, take a look at our comprehensive section on Student Loan Debt.
The new SAVE plan offers accelerated forgiveness for borrowers with smaller original balances:
This program forgives up to $17,500 for teachers who work five consecutive years in designated low-income schools.
This federal program forgives up to 85% of your nursing loans for working in a Critical Shortage Facility or eligible nursing school.
The NHSC repays student loans for healthcare providers who work in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Serve for one year and earn an Education Award equal to the maximum Pell Grant. You can use it to repay federal student loans or fund future education.
While Peace Corps service doesn’t directly “forgive” loans anymore, it provides strong benefits:
If your school misled you or violated consumer protection laws, you may qualify for full loan cancellation.
If your school closed while you were enrolled (or shortly after you withdrew), you may qualify for full cancellation of federal loans.
Borrowers with qualifying medical disabilities may receive complete federal loan discharge.
If you still have Perkins Loans, you may be eligible for up to 100% cancellation for service in qualifying careers:
Lawyers working in public interest roles can receive significant loan repayment assistance from LRAP programs and PSLF combined.
There’s no one-size-fits-all forgiveness path. Some programs depend on your career, others on your income, and others on your school or loan type. The key is knowing your options and choosing the path that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.
No matter where you are in repayment, there’s almost always a way to reduce your debt—and sometimes get rid of it entirely.
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