Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) 2026: The Complete Guide

If you work for the government or a non-profit organization, you might not have to pay back your student loans. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program is designed to wipe out your remaining debt after 10 years of service. This guide explains the specific 2026 rules. For an overview of all other federal programs, check our Student Loan Forgiveness 2026 Ultimate Guide.

Who Qualifies for PSLF?

Qualification is based on who you work for, not your specific job title.

• Government Organizations: Any US federal, state, local, or tribal government agency. This includes the military and public schools.
• Non-Profit Organizations: Any 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
• Other Non-Profits: Some other non-profits qualify if they provide specific public services (like emergency management or public health).
• Important: Labor unions and partisan political organizations do not qualify.

The 4 Core PSLF Requirements

To get your loans forgiven, you must meet all four of these criteria simultaneously:

1. Qualifying Employer: You must work full-time (at least 30 hours per week) for one of the organizations listed above.
2. Qualifying Loans: You must have Direct Loans. (If you have FFEL or Perkins loans, you must consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan first).
3. Qualifying Repayment Plan: You must be enrolled in an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan (like SAVE, PAYE, or IBR).
4. 120 Payments: You must make 120 qualifying monthly payments (which takes at least 10 years).

How “Qualifying Payments” Work

This is where most people get confused. To count toward the 120 total, a payment must be:

• Made after October 1, 2007.
• Made for the full amount shown on your bill.
• Made no later than 15 days after the due date.
• Made while you are employed full-time by a qualifying employer.
• Note: You do not need to make the 120 payments consecutively. If you leave public service and come back, your count picks up where it left off.

How to Apply (The PSLF Help Tool)

You should not wait until year 10 to file paperwork. Follow this process:

1. Annually: Every year, submit a PSLF & TEPSLF Certification & Application Form. This updates your official payment count.
2. Use the Tool: The Department of Education has a PSLF Help Tool that generates the form for you.
3. Signatures: You and your employer must sign the form.
4. Submission: Send the form to the official PSLF servicer (currently MOHELA).

Frequently Asked Questions

• “Is PSLF taxable?” No. Unlike some other programs, the forgiven amount is tax-free under federal law.
• “What if I consolidate?” If you consolidate, your payment count might reset unless you do it during a special adjustment period (like the IDR Account Adjustment). Check the current rules carefully.
• “Does the SAVE Plan count?” Yes, payments made under the SAVE plan count toward PSLF.