This page describes federal and other national student loan forgiveness and cancellation programs. See the Student Loan Forgiveness & Cancellation Programs page to learn more.
The federal government backs nine out of 10 student loans, so it's likely you have a federal loan. To be sure, check the National Student Loan Data System to learn if you have a federal loan. If you have a federal loan, find out what type. Knowing the loan type will help identify cancellation or repayment options. See the tables below to learn your options.
Conditions for Cancelling Federal Student Loans
Condition for cancellation or forgiveness | Qualifying Loans | Loan amount discharged | Eligibility Requirements/Additional Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Death of parent |
Parent PLUS |
100% of loan amount |
Must require proof of death (death certificate) |
Death of student |
Direct Loan FFEL Perkins Loan Parent PLUS |
100% of loan amount |
Must require proof of death (death certificate) |
Borrower's total and permanent disability (TPD) |
Direct Loan FFEL Perkins Loan |
100% of loan amount |
Proof of TPD:
|
School's permanent closure |
Direct Loan FFEL Perkins Loan |
100% of loan amount |
Borrower enrollment status
|
School's falsification of borrower's ability to benefit |
Direct Loan FFEL (received at least in part on or after 1/1/86) |
100% of remaining balance + costs, charges and reimbursement of amounts already paid |
Typical scenario is the school's improperly administered test ensured your ability to benefit. For example, it may have given you more time to take the test than was allowed or allowed you to discuss the answers to test questions with other students |
School's forgery of borrower's signature on loan papers or check endorsements (Identity theft) |
Direct Loan FFEL (received at least in part on or after 1/1/86) |
100% of remaining balance + costs, charges and reimbursement of amounts already paid |
|
School's falsification of borrower's disqualifying status |
Direct Loan FFEL (received at least in part on or after 1/1/86) |
100% of remaining balance + reimbursement of amounts already paid |
Typical scenario includes a borrower lacking a high school education/diploma who entered a school program for a vocation in which the state requires a high school degree. |
Unpaid Refund: School failed to refund borrower who completed less than 60% of loan period |
Direct Loan FFEL (received at least in part on or after 1/1/86) |
Amount of unpaid refund + interest/fees |
|
Bankruptcy with "undue hardship" from student loans |
Direct Loan FFEL Perkins Loan Private Loan |
100% of loan balance |
Discharge rarely occurs, because extremely difficult for borrower to satisfactorily meet the "undue hardship" standard |
Career-Based Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Programs
You may qualify for loan forgiveness if you meet certain career requirements, experience a change in personal circumstances or your school failed to follow lending or administration procedures. The tables below outline the eligible loans and professions you must work in to have your loan cancelled or partially repaid.
Teaching Profession Loan Repayment Programs
Applicable Degrees/ Borrower Status | Loan Type | Program Name | Cancellation or Repayment Amount | Eligibility Requirements |
---|---|---|---|---|
Teacher |
|
Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program |
$17,500 maximum |
Numerous requirements apply, including:
|
Teacher |
Perkins Loans |
Teacher Cancellation Program |
100% |
Numerous requirements apply, including:
|
Medical/Health Professional Loan Repayment Programs
Applicable Degrees/ Borrower Status | Loan Type | Program Name | Cancellation or Repayment Amount | Eligibility Requirements |
---|---|---|---|---|
Medical student in MD or DO program, in final year of schooling |
Loans from federal, state or local governments Commercial loans obtained for tuition and reasonable educational and living expenses No consolidated loans |
NHSC's Students to Service Loan Repayment Program |
$120,000 maximum in final year of schooling |
|
Health professional |
Varies by state, typically loans from federal, state or local governments or commercial loans obtained for tuition and reasonable educational and living expenses No consolidated loans |
NHSC's State Loan Repayment Programs, offered by numerous states |
Varies between state programs |
|
Primary care clinician (in medical, dental or mental and behavioral primary care) |
Loan from federal, state and local entities Loans from commercial institutions |
NHSC Loan Repayment Program |
$50,000 maximum, given at beginning of service |
|
Licensed, registered nurse or nurse faculty member |
|
NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program |
60% of unpaid loan balance + 25% more if participates in 3rd year |
|
Medical/Health research scientists, NIH employees and non-NIH employees |
|
NIH Loan Repayment Programs |
$50,000 maximum per year |
|
Licensed Health Professional |
Federal, state, local student loan or commercial loan used to pay for health profession school and related expenses |
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program |
$40,000 maximum, additional payments for additional time commitment |
|
Veterinarians with DVM or equivalent from accredited institution |
Student loan taken out to pay tuition and reasonable education and living expenses to attend an accredited college of veterinary medicine |
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program |
$25,000 per year |
|
Public Sector Loan Repayment Programs
Applicable Degree(s)/ Field | Loan Type | Program Name | Cancellation/ Repayment Amount | Eligibility Requirements |
---|---|---|---|---|
AmeriCorps Worker |
|
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award |
$5,775 for Full time (As of October 2015)/maximum $11,550 (two awards) |
|
AmeriCorps VISTA Member |
|
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award |
|
|
Government employee |
|
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program |
100% of remaining student loan balance after 120 monthly payments (at least 10 years of payments) |
Full-time employment (combined minimum of 30 hours per week with one or more employers) |
Employee of 501(c)(3) organization |
|
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program |
Remaining student loan balance after submitting 120 monthly payments (at least 10 years of payments) |
Full-time employment (combined minimum of 30 hours per week with one or more employers) |
Employee of not-for-profit organization providing qualifying public services |
|
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program |
Remaining student loan balance after submitting 120 monthly payments (at least 10 years of payments) |
Full-time employment (combined minimum of 30 hours per week with one or more employers) |
Other Career-Based Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Programs
Applicable Degree(s)/ Field | Loan Type | Program Name | Cancellation/ Repayment Amount | Eligibility Requirements |
---|---|---|---|---|
Attorney working in public interest, government or lower-paying legal field |
Varies by law school programs |
Law School Public Interest Loan Repayment Assistance Programs, plus other federal, state, state bar programs |
Varies by law school program |
Varies by law school program |
Attorney |
Perkins Loan |
Up to 100% |
Full-time work in a federal public or community defender organization Service must include or have begun on or after 8/14/08 |
|
Firefighter |
Perkins Loan |
Federal Perkins Loan Cancellation Program |
Up to 100% |
|
Librarian with Master's Degree |
Perkins Loan |
Up to 100% |
Must be working in eligible elementary or secondary school or in eligible public library. For service that includes or began on or after 8/14/08 |
|
National Guard member |
|
Student Loan Repayment Program |
Maximum $50,000 per year |
Must enlist for a minimum six-year term in qualifying role |
Teacher |
Perkins Loans |
Teacher Cancellation Program |
100% |
Numerous requirements apply, including:
|
Teacher |
|
Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program |
$17,500 maximum |
Must have taught full time for 5 consecutive academic years. Must teach in qualified elementary, secondary school or educational service agency serving low-income families |
U.S. Armed Forces service member on active duty |
Perkins Loans |
Maximum 50% if active duty ended before 8/14/08 Maximum 100% if active duty includes or began on or after 8/14/08 |
Service occurred in a hostile fire or imminent danger pay area |
|
U.S. Armed Forces service member on active duty |
|
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program |
Remaining student loan balance after submitting 120 monthly payments (at least 10 years of payments) |
|
U.S. Armed Forces service member with service-connected disability |
Federal Loans |
Veterans Total and Permanent Disability Discharge |
100% cancellation of loan balance |
|
U.S. Armed Forces service member with special circumstances |
Federal Loans |
100% cancellation of loan balance |
Department of Defense may deem special circumstances warrant complete forgiveness of outstanding loan balances |
Resources
/education/college/resources/student-loan-forgiveness-cancellation/
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation
http://www.studentloanborrowerassistance.org/loan-cancellation/school-related/closed-school/
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/teacher