Public Service Loan Forgiveness/Toolkit
U.S. Department of Education
On Oct. 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced temporary changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Under normal PSLF rules, borrowers must make 120 payments on a Direct Loan while on a qualifying repayment plan and employed by a qualifying public service employer. Now, for a limited period of time, federal student loan borrowers may receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF. The limited PSLF waiver ends Oct. 31, 2022.
To ensure borrowers are aware of the temporary changes, the White House has launched four PSLF Days of Action dedicated to borrowers in specific sectors: government employees, educators, healthcare workers and first responders, and nonprofit employees.
- Aug. 24: Government Employee (Federal, State, Local, Tribal) Day of Action
- Aug. 31: Educator Day of Action for teachers, professors, school staff, administrators, and other employees at all education levels. You can use this toolkit for educators to help us get the word out.*
- Sept. 7: Healthcare Professionals and First Responders Day of Action
- Sept. 14: Private, Nonprofit Day of Action
What Employers and Educators Can Do: We need your help to spread the word to your employees and peers. Here are some suggested actions:
1) Promote the Limited PSLF Waiver: Share the attached sample email throughout your school and networks. Employers should modify the email as necessary and include the noted organization-specific information. You can also promote the waiver using the attached materials and social media graphics. Ask your school leadership, official accounts, and peers to share the information through their networks.
2) Answer Borrower Questions: Work with your AFT or NEA local to set up informational webinars for your staff about PSLF and the waiver. AFT runs national student debt clinics in weekly webinars, which you can refer your employees and peers to. Direct employees with account-specific questions to contact MOHELA, the approved PSLF loan servicer.
3) Simplify Employment Certification: Create a process for your employees to easily submit PSLF forms for approval and signature. Employers should designate a point of contact in their HR department or set up a designated email address for employees to use for form submission and general inquiries. Employers should also make sure to share the correct Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) by email with staff, so they can properly complete their forms.
4) Accelerate PSLF Approval: Make sure your Federal Employer Identification Number (EINs) is accounted for in our database. If your school or college is not listed or it is listed incorrectly, please contact the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSAengagement@ed.gov).