Who is Eligible for Teacher Loan Forgiveness?
To qualify for TLF, you must meet specific requirements related to your teaching position, service commitment, and loan types.
1. Teacher and School Requirements:
- You must be a highly qualified teacher, which means you have a bachelor’s degree, full state certification, and have not had certification requirements waived on a temporary or emergency basis.
- You must work full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years at a qualifying school.
- At least one of those years must have been after the 1997–98 academic year.
- Your school must be an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that is listed in the Teacher Cancellation Low Income (TCLI) Directory. This directory is updated annually by the U.S. Department of Education.
2. Eligible Loan Types:
Only certain federal student loans qualify for this program. Eligible loans include:
- Direct Subsidized Loans
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Federal Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
Unfortunately, private student loans are not eligible. While Perkins Loans do not qualify for TLF, they have a separate cancellation program for teachers.
How Much Debt Can Be Forgiven?
The amount of forgiveness depends on the subject you teach.
- Up to $17,500: You may be eligible for this amount if you are a highly qualified full-time mathematics or science teacher at the secondary school level, or a special education teacher at the elementary or secondary level.
- Up to $5,000: If you do not teach in one of the high-need fields listed above but still meet all other program requirements, you may qualify for up to $5,000 in forgiveness.
Real-World Example:
Maria is a high school science teacher with $25,000 in Direct Unsubsidized Loans. She accepts a position at a high school listed in the TCLI Directory. After teaching there for five consecutive years, she applies for TLF. Because she is a highly qualified science teacher, she receives $17,500 in loan forgiveness, reducing her student loan balance to just $7,500.
TLF vs. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
It is crucial not to confuse Teacher Loan Forgiveness with Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). While both programs support public servants, they operate differently.
| Feature | Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) | Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) |
|---|---|---|
| Service Period | 5 consecutive years of teaching | 10 years (120 qualifying payments) in public service |
| Eligible Employer | Low-income school or educational agency | Government or qualifying not-for-profit organization |
| Forgiveness | Up to $5,000 or $17,500 | Full remaining balance (tax-free) |
| Key Rule | The five years of service for TLF cannot be used to meet the 10-year requirement for PSLF. You must choose which benefit to apply to that period of service. |
If you have a high loan balance, PSLF might offer a much larger financial benefit, but it requires a longer service commitment. Carefully weigh your career plans and debt amount before deciding which path to pursue.
How to Apply for Teacher Loan Forgiveness
You can only apply after you have completed the required five years of teaching service. To apply, you must complete and submit the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application to your student loan servicer. You can find the latest version of this form on the Federal Student Aid website.
Important Tip: Keep detailed records of your employment, including contracts and letters from your school administration verifying your position and dates of service. This documentation will be essential for a smooth application process.
Source: Information is based on guidelines from the U.S. Department of Education. For the most current requirements and forms, visit StudentAid.gov.
