Learn about the federal student loan forgiveness and cancellation programs for teachers to see whether you qualify.
There are two types of loan forgiveness programs for teachers:
- Teacher loan forgiveness for Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans, and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
- Teacher cancellation for Federal Perkins Loans
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession. Under this program, if you teach full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years in certain elementary and secondary schools and educational service agencies that serve low-income families, and meet other qualifications, you may be eligible for forgiveness of up to a combined total of $17,500 on your Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and your Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans. If you have PLUS loans only, you are not eligible for this type of forgiveness.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Who is considered a teacher?
How long must I teach?
Am I a highly qualified teacher?
Is the school at which I teach a low-income school?
What if I teach at an educational service agency?
How do I apply for teacher loan forgiveness?
Can I download a brief summary of this teacher loan forgiveness information?
Learn more: Federal Student Aid