Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Eligible teachers can have up to $17,500 in federal student loans forgiven after five consecutive years of teaching in a low-income school or educational service agency.
What Is Teacher Loan Forgiveness?
Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) is a federal program that forgives up to $17,500 of your Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans or Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans after you have taught full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years in a low-income school or educational service agency (ESA).
The program is separate from Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and you can potentially pursue both — but the same years of service cannot count toward both programs simultaneously.
How Much Can Be Forgiven?
For highly qualified math, science, or special education teachers at the secondary level, or highly qualified special education teachers at the elementary level.
For all other eligible full-time teachers who meet the five-year service requirement at a qualifying low-income school or ESA.
Eligibility Requirements
You must have been employed as a full-time, highly qualified teacher for five complete and consecutive academic years.
At least one of those years must have been after the 1997–98 academic year.
You must have taught in a low-income elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves low-income students.
You must not have had an outstanding balance on Direct Loans or FFEL Program Loans as of October 1, 1998, or on the date you obtained the loan.
The loans for which you are seeking forgiveness must have been made before the end of your five academic years of qualifying teaching service.
You must not be in default on the loans for which you are seeking forgiveness.
What Schools Qualify?
A qualifying school is an elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students, as determined annually by the Department of Education. The school must be listed in the Teacher Cancellation Low Income (TCLI) Directory maintained by the Department of Education.
Important: Verify Your School Each Year
A school's low-income designation can change from year to year. Check the TCLI Directory annually to confirm your school qualifies for each year of your five-year service period.
How to Apply
- 1
Complete the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application (available on StudentAid.gov).
- 2
Have the chief administrative officer of your school or ESA certify your qualifying teaching service on the application.
- 3
Submit the completed application to your loan servicer after completing your five years of qualifying teaching.
- 4
Continue making payments while your application is being processed — do not stop paying your loans.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness vs. PSLF
Many teachers are eligible for both Teacher Loan Forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. However, you must be strategic about how you pursue them, since the same five years cannot count toward both simultaneously.
- Forgives up to $17,500
- Requires 5 years at a low-income school
- Does not require any specific repayment plan
- Best for those with smaller loan balances
- Forgives remaining balance (no cap)
- Requires 10 years (120 payments) at a qualifying employer
- Requires qualifying IDR plan
- Best for those with large loan balances
Check Your Full Forgiveness Eligibility
Use our free eligibility checker to see which forgiveness programs you qualify for — including Teacher Loan Forgiveness, PSLF, and more.