Nate Cressall Agency
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
(10 year program)
www.StudentAid.gov/publicservice
April 2025 Updates:
-
Online IDR and Direct Consolidation applications are available again! The only options are IBR, ICR and PAYE (SAVE will not be an option). To qualify for PAYE you must be a new borrower as of 10/01/2007 (no loans outstanding on that date).
-
For borrowers on SAVE and in forbearance, it may be best to just stay in forbearance and plan on doing the PSLF Buyback down the road. The forbearance will last until at least September 2025. Switching IDR plans is a viable strategy prior to September 2025.
Getting Started
Step 2: Make sure you have Direct loans
If your loans are NOT Direct loans, you will need to consolidate the
non-direct loans only
Certify Employment
Step 3: PSLF Form
Payments under the PSLF program will only count if you are employed with a qualifying employer. Employment will be verified by submitting the PSLF Form periodically. Guide here
Income-Driven Payment Plan
Step 4: Get on an income-driven repayment plan
UPDATE: Automatic IDR recertification of income and family size now available
Step 5: Track your Progress toward PSLF
Guide on how to track your payments is here
Apply
Step 6: Apply for Forgiveness
After 120 qualifying payments complete the PSLF form (step 3) again. Online is preferred over filling out PDF manually.
Resources
