You may be eligible for student loan forgiveness if you graduate from college or graduate school with one or more federal student loans and either volunteer, serve in the military, or work in certain fields in low-paying, high-need areas. Student loan forgiveness means that some or all of you federal student loans will be canceled. Here are descriptions of some of the most common ways to qualify:
What’s Ahead:
Volunteer service
If you service in the Peace Corps, you may apply for deferment of federal Stafford, Perkins and consolidation loans while you serve. You may also apply for partial cancellation of federal Perkins Loans for an amount equal to 15 percent for each year of Peace Corps service, up to a maximum of 70 percent.
Volunteers for AmeriCorps, which provides domestic disaster relief, community-building programs, and the popular Teach for America program, receive a stipend of up to $7,400 for one year of service plus up to $4,725 of federal student loan forgiveness. (Note: Teach for America participants receive a full teacher’s salary in lieu of the $7,400 stipend.)
The Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program coordinates volunteer service with private non-profits that battle domestic issues including poverty, hunger, and homelessness. One year of VISTA service can earn you up to $4,725 in student loan forgiveness. Some “volunteers” also receive a stipend.
Teaching
Full-time teachers working in schools that serve low-income populations—or in high-need areas such as math, science, foreign languages, and special education—have a variety of student-loan cancellation options. Teachers in these areas may be eligible for full or partial cancellation of federal Perkins and Stafford loans. More information about loan cancellation for teachers is available from the U.S. Department of Education and and the American Federation of Teachers.
Non-profit law
A variety of law school loan forgiveness programs are available for lawyers who enter public service or work in non-profit fields.
Medical professions
Student loan forgiveness for the students becoming physicians and nurses is available from the National Health Service Corps and the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program. To be eligible for forgiveness from these programs, students must agree to practice for a number of years in high-need areas, which are usually remote or struggling economically.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health also offers a that may pay of up $35,000 per year of student loan debt for students involved in medical research.
New programs are popping up every year to encourage students to enter emerging high-need medical fields such as occupational and physical therapists and medical technicians. Check with your school (or schools you are considering attending) for up-to-the-minute information about medical loan forgiveness programs.
Military service
The U.S. Armed Forces offer several generous programs to help its members pay for their education. For example, members of the Army National Guard may qualify for up to $10,000 in loan cancellation.
Summary
If you pursue non-profit work, military service, or another lower-paying position that benefits the public good, you may be able to get some, if not all, of your loans forgiven. Whatever you do, be sure to read the fine print on any agreement, to prevent ugly surprises or unexpected requirements down the road.