The student loan forgiveness program allows borrowers to have their student loans forgiven after meeting certain requirements. It has many benefits. However, it might be difficult to know where to begin when there are so many alternative student loan forgiveness programs. The access to them is related to your situation and your financial (and career) objectives. Here are some of the most common options.
1. Income-driven Repayment Forgiveness
The federal government provides four major income-driven repayment options, which let you limit your loan payments to a percentage of your monthly income. If you participate in one of these plans, your remaining loan balance will be forgiven after 20 or 25 years, depending on the plan. These programs are very beneficial for people whose debt loads are significantly higher than their incomes.
2. Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Federal student loans are accessible to government and qualifying nonprofit workers who work in high-need areas. Once they have made 120 qualifying loan payments, eligible borrowers can have the rest of their debt forgiven tax-free.
3. Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Teachers who work full-time in low-income public elementary or secondary schools for five years may be eligible for Teacher Loan Forgiveness. They are eligible for loan forgiveness of up to $17,500 in federal direct or Stafford loans.
4. Student Loan Relief for Nurses
Nurses with student debt have multiple loan forgiveness alternatives, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Perkins loan cancellation, and the NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program, which pays up to 85 percent of eligible nurses' unpaid education debt.
5. Closed School Discharge
If your school closes, you may be eligible for loan forgiveness. You must have been enrolled at the time of closure or have left within 120 days without getting a degree. During your application processing, you must keep up with your loan payments. If accepted, you won't have to continue making loan payments and might even get your previous loan payments back in full.
7. Borrower Defense to Repayment Discharge
Debt forgiveness may be available to borrowers whose colleges have defrauded them. You must file a borrower defense to repayment claim with the Department of Education. If you are eligible, the Education Department may automatically dismiss your loans if your institution was involved in evident fraud or deception affecting several borrowers.
8. Total and Permanent Disability Discharge
If you can't work because you are completely and permanently incapacitated, either physically or mentally, you may be eligible to have your remaining student loan debt forgiven. You must present paperwork demonstrating your disability to qualify for a total and permanent disability discharge. After your loans are canceled, the government may perform a three-year audit of your finances and incapacity. Your loans may be restored if you fail to fulfill the criteria during the observation period.
9. Total and Permanent Disability Discharge for Veterans
Veterans with a total and permanent disability will have their student loan debt forgiven. A veteran's loan will be forgiven automatically unless they decline because of potential state tax liability (there is no federal tax liability for veteran loan forgiveness).
10. Discharge Due to Death
Once a death certificate is presented to your loan servicer, your federal loans will be dismissed. If the parent who holds the loan or you die, the PLUS loans used to pay for your education will be discharged.
Contact Student Loan Forgiveness USA if you have questions about these programs or would like more information. With years of experience, our team of experts provides students with options that make it easier for them to manage their student loans. We keep a high level of customer service throughout the process to keep your peace of mind, so all you have to do is relax. Get started today!