Last week the U.S Department of Education announced a program that provides temporary relief to current and future Public Service Loan Forgiveness program participants as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public health workers that borrowed money for school under the PSLF program can get credit for past ‘non-qualifying payments’. Under the new rules, “any prior payment made will count as a qualifying payment, regardless of loan type, repayment plan, or whether the payment was made in full or on time”. The change applies to student loan borrowers with Direct Loans, those who have already consolidated into the Direct Loan Program, and those who will consolidate into the Direct Loan Program.
The Department of Education will credit borrowers for prior payments made while working for a qualifying employer like a county or state health department regardless of loan type or repayment plan. To participate, borrowers need to submit this form by Oct. 31, 2022.
Temporary Loan Forgiveness Highlights
- What are the new rules?
- Do I qualify for additional payments?
- What next steps should I take?
- What if I have other questions?
- Use the PSLF Help Tool.