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- As of January 28, 2026, several federal student loan forgiveness programs are available too borrowers, though teh landscape has shifted substantially in recent years.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness provides loan discharge to borrowers employed full-time by a qualifying U.S.federal, state, local, or tribal government or non-profit organization.
- The PSLF program underwent meaningful changes in october 2021 with the implementation of a temporary expanded PSLF waiver.
Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Programs in 2026
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As of January 28, 2026, several federal student loan forgiveness programs are available too borrowers, though teh landscape has shifted substantially 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)
Public Service Loan Forgiveness provides loan discharge to borrowers employed full-time by a qualifying U.S.federal, state, local, or tribal government or non-profit organization. The program requires 120 qualifying monthly payments made under a qualifying repayment plan.
The PSLF program underwent meaningful changes in october 2021 with the implementation of a temporary expanded PSLF waiver. This waiver allowed past payments that wouldn’t have previously qualified (due to repayment plan or loan type) to count towards the 120 required payments. While the waiver period ended on October 31, 2022, the department of education continues to process applications under the revised rules. Further adjustments were made in April 2024 to streamline the application process and address historical issues with payment counting.
Example: A teacher working for a public school who has made 120 qualifying payments while employed in public service is eligible for PSLF. The Department of Education details eligibility and application procedures on its website.
income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness
income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans cap monthly payments based on a borrower’s income and family size. After a set number of years of qualifying payments (typically 20 or 25, depending on the plan), the remaining loan balance is forgiven. Four IDR plans are currently available: SAVE (Saving on a valuable Education),Income-Based Repayment (IBR),Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR),and Pay As You Earn (PAYE).
The SAVE plan, introduced in 2023, offers the most generous terms, with payments calculated as a percentage of discretionary income and unpaid interest waived.The Biden-Harris governance has also proposed changes to shorten the repayment timeline for some borrowers under IDR plans. The Department of Education provides information on each IDR plan and helps borrowers determine which plan is best for them.
Evidence: As of December 2025, over 6.8 million borrowers were enrolled in IDR plans, according to data from the Federal Student Aid office. The total amount of loan forgiveness granted through IDR plans as their inception exceeds $65 billion.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Teacher Loan Forgiveness 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. The amount forgiven depends on the subject taught; math, science, and special education teachers are eligible for the maximum $17,500, while other qualifying teachers can receive up to $5,000.
To qualify, teachers must meet specific requirements related to their employment and the school they teach at. The program is administered by the Department of Education, and applications are submitted through the TEACH grant service system. The official program details are available on the Federal Student Aid website.
Example: A high school math teacher who teaches for five years at a Title I school is eligible for up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness under the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program. The Department of Education outlines the specific eligibility criteria.
Borrower Defense to Repayment
Borrower Defense to Repayment allows borrowers to seek loan discharge if their school engaged in certain misconduct, such as making false or misleading statements about the educational program, or violating state laws. this program has been subject to legal challenges and regulatory changes in recent years.
the Biden-Harris administration has taken steps to improve the Borrower Defense process, including streamlining the application process and expanding the types of misconduct that qualify for relief. In June 2023, the Department of Education announced over $5.8 billion in loan forgiveness for borrowers who had filed Borrower Defense claims.
Evidence: the Department of Education provides information on filing a Borrower Defense claim and the criteria for eligibility. As of January 2026, over 125,000 claims have been approved, resulting in over $7 billion in loan discharges.
Other Forgiveness Programs
Several other,more specialized,loan forgiveness programs exist for specific professions,such as nurses,doctors,and lawyers working in underserved areas. These programs are often administered by state or federal agencies and may have specific eligibility requirements. Information on these programs can be found through the Federal Student Aid website and relevant professional organizations.