We’re a little over a week into 2026, and as is the case every new year, excitement for Samsung’s latest flagship series is starting to reach a fever pitch. Doubts about what the upcoming series would look like have subsided, and we know we’re getting a familiar lineup.
We’re getting the base Galaxy S26, the Galaxy S26+, and the top-of-the-line Galaxy S26 Ultra, and while we’ve heard a lot about the former and the latter, leaks about the middle child of the series are only now starting to hit the spotlight.
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Federal Student loan Forgiveness Programs in 2026
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As of January 10,2026,several federal student loan forgiveness programs are available to borrowers,though the landscape has shifted significantly in recent years. These programs offer pathways to loan discharge based on employment, income, and other factors. This guide details the current options and eligibility requirements.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments made while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
PSLF was established by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. Initially, the program faced challenges wiht implementation and a low approval rate. though, the Biden-Harris management implemented temporary waivers and ongoing improvements to streamline the process and expand eligibility. Qualifying employers include goverment organizations at all levels (federal, state, local, tribal) and certain non-profit organizations. The Department of Education provides a PSLF Help tool to help borrowers determine eligibility and track progress toward the 120 qualifying payments.
Example: As of December 2025, the Department of Education reported having approved $62.3 billion in PSLF for over 790,000 borrowers, largely due to the temporary waiver. press release
Income-driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans cap monthly payments based on a borrower’s income and family size, and forgive the remaining loan balance after a set number of years of qualifying payments.
Currently, there are four IDR plans: Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), and Pay As You Earn (PAYE). The SAVE plan, introduced in 2024, generally offers the lowest monthly payments and fastest path to forgiveness. The standard forgiveness timeframe is 20 or 25 years, depending on the loan type and plan. The Department of Education has also implemented adjustments to account for past periods of forbearance and deferment, potentially bringing borrowers closer to forgiveness. Details on each plan are available on the Federal Student Aid IDR page.
Example: Under the SAVE plan,a borrower earning $50,000 annually with a family size of one could see their monthly payments reduced to as low as $0. Federal Student Aid Announcement
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program offers up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness to highly qualified teachers who teach full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years in a low-income school.
To qualify, teachers must teach in a designated low-income school as steadfast by the Department of Education. The amount of forgiveness depends on the subject taught: $5,000 for highly qualified teachers in mathematics, science, and special education, and $17,500 for highly qualified teachers in other subjects. The program applies to Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans.More information can be found on the Teacher Loan forgiveness Program page.
Example: In fiscal year 2023, approximately 1,700 teachers received Teacher Loan Forgiveness, totaling over $28 million in loan discharges. Department of Education Annual Report
Borrower Defense to Repayment
Borrower Defense to Repayment allows borrowers to seek loan forgiveness if their school engaged in certain misconduct, such as making false or misleading statements about the educational program or employment prospects.
This program is notably relevant for borrowers who attended institutions that closed unexpectedly or were found to have engaged in fraudulent practices. The Department of Education reviews claims on a case-by-case basis. The Biden-Harris administration has prioritized addressing the backlog of Borrower Defense claims and has implemented changes to the process to make it more fair and efficient. Borrowers can find more information and submit a claim on the Borrower defense to Repayment page.
Example: In June 2022, the Department of Education announced it would automatically discharge over $6 billion in student loan debt for over 200,000 borrowers who were defrauded by their schools, primarily those associated with Corinthian colleges.Department of Education Press Release
Closed School Discharge
Closed School Discharge provides loan forgiveness to borrowers whose school closed while they were enrolled or shortly after they withdrew.
To qualify, the
