PSLF Forgiveness Calculator

After 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years) made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time (30+ hours/week) for a qualifying employer (government, 501(c)(3) non-profit, or certain other public service), the remaining federal Direct Loan balance is forgiven - and the forgiven amount is NOT federally taxable. The payments do not need to be consecutive.

Federal, state, local, or tribal government agencies (including the military). Non-profits with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Some other non-501(c)(3) non-profits providing qualifying public services. Religious work does NOT count for non-501(c)(3) churches, but does for 501(c)(3) church entities. Self-employment in public service does NOT count - must be W-2 employed. Use the PSLF Help Tool on studentaid.gov to verify your employer.

Federal Direct Loans only. FFEL and Perkins loans must first be consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan to qualify (and consolidation can RESET your payment count unless done before October 2022 under the Limited PSLF Waiver). Private loans never qualify. The Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS, and Consolidation loans all qualify if under a qualifying repayment plan.

Missing a payment doesn't reset the count - you just have to make up that month. Non-qualifying employment (private sector, freelance) months simply don't count, but prior qualifying months are preserved. The PSLF Buyback program (launched 2023) lets you pay for past months that didn't count due to deferment/forbearance, accelerating to 120 if needed.