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How to Apply for Student Debt Forgiveness
by
JG Wentworth
•
March 17, 2025
•
4 min
Student loan debt forgiveness can provide significant financial relief, but navigating the various programs and eligibility requirements can be complex. If you’re curious about how to get some relief on your student loan debt, we’ll break down the main forgiveness programs available and walk through the application process for each…*
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
The PSLF program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for eligible employers. This program is especially valuable for public sector employees.
Eligibility requirements
- Have Direct Loans (or consolidate other federal loans into Direct Loans).
- Work full-time for a qualifying employer:
- Government organizations (federal, state, local, tribal)
- Non-profit organizations (501(c)(3))
- Other qualifying non-profits that provide public services
- Make 120 qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
Application process
- Submit the PSLF Form annually and whenever you change employers.
- Track your qualifying payments through your loan servicer.
- After making 120 qualifying payments, submit the PSLF application.
- Continue making payments until forgiveness is approved.
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) forgiveness
Under IDR plans, remaining loan balances are forgiven after 20-25 years of qualifying payments. The specific timeline depends on the plan and loan type.
Available IDR plans
- Income-Based Repayment (IBR)
- Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
- Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE)
- Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR)
Application steps
- Visit StudentAid.gov.
- Select “Apply for Income-Driven Repayment.”
- Provide current income documentation.
- Recertify income annually.
- Track payment progress toward forgiveness.
Teacher loan forgiveness
Teachers can receive up to $17,500 in forgiveness after teaching for five consecutive years in low-income schools.
Eligibility requirements
- Be a highly qualified teacher.
- Teach full-time for five consecutive years.
- Work at a qualifying low-income school.
- Have Direct or FFEL Program loans.
Application process
- Complete five years of qualifying teaching.
- Download the Teacher Loan Forgiveness application.
- Have your school’s chief administrative officer certify your service.
- Submit the completed application to your loan servicer.
Disability discharge
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge eliminates the obligation to repay federal student loans for those with qualifying disabilities.
Qualifying through
- Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Physician certification
Application steps
- Visit DisabilityDischarge.com
- Submit TPD discharge application.
- Provide supporting documentation.
- Complete three-year monitoring period (if applicable).
Take your next step towards being debt-free
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Important considerations
A few things to keep in mind before you pursue your student debt forgiveness:Tax implications
- PSLF forgiveness is tax-free.
- IDR forgiveness may be taxable.
- Document forgiveness amounts for tax purposes.
Documentation requirements
Keep detailed records of:- Employment certification forms.
- Payment histories.
- Income documentation.
- Correspondence with loan servicers.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Missing annual recertification deadlines.
- Not tracking qualifying payments.
- Working for non-eligible employers.
- Having non-qualifying loan types.
Tips for success
Everyone’s financial situation is unique, but here are some general pointers which will increase your chances of successful student loan debt forgiveness:Stay organized
- Create a folder for all loan-related documents.
- Set calendar reminders for important dates.
- Keep copies of all submitted forms.
Monitor progress
- Review loan statements monthly.
- Track qualifying payments.
- Update contact information promptly.
Seek help when needed
- Contact loan servicer for guidance.
- Use Federal Student Aid resources.
- Consider student loan counseling services.
Additional resources
Here are a few resources you can leverage to assist in your forgiveness journey:Official websites
- StudentAid.gov
- Federal Student Aid Information Center
- Loan servicer websites
Tools and calculators
- Loan simulators
- Repayment estimators
- PSLF help tool
Next steps
Now that you have a better understanding of what it takes to get student loan debt forgiven, here are your next steps:- Determine your loan types and current balances.
- Identify potentially qualifying forgiveness programs.
- Gather required documentation.
- Submit appropriate applications.
- Continue making payments while awaiting approval.
There’s always JG Wentworth…
If you have $10,000 or more in unsecured debt there’s a good chance you’ll qualify for the JG Wentworth Debt Relief Program.* Some of our program perks include:- One monthly program payment
- We negotiate on your behalf
- Average debt resolution in as little as 48-60 months
- We only get paid when we settle your debt
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* Program length varies depending on individual situation. Programs are between 24 and 60 months in length. Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 43% before our 25% program fee. This is a Debt resolution program provided by JGW Debt Settlement, LLC (“JGW” of “Us”)). JGW offers this program in the following states: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NM, NV, NY, NC, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, DC, and WI. If a consumer residing in CT, GA, HI, IL, KS, ME, NH, NJ, OH, RI, SC and VT contacts Us we may connect them with a law firm that provides debt resolution services in their state. JGW is licensed/registered to provide debt resolution services in states where licensing/registration is required.
Debt resolution program results will vary by individual situation. As such, debt resolution services are not appropriate for everyone. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all individuals who enroll complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Savings resulting from successful negotiations may result in tax consequences, please consult with a tax professional regarding these consequences. The use of the debt settlement services and the failure to make payments to creditors: (1) Will likely adversely affect your creditworthiness (credit rating/credit score) and make it harder to obtain credit; (2) May result in your being subject to collections or being sued by creditors or debt collectors; and (3) May increase the amount of money you owe due to the accrual of fees and interest by creditors or debt collectors. Failure to pay your monthly bills in a timely manner will result in increased balances and will harm your credit rating. Not all creditors will agree to reduce principal balance, and they may pursue collection, including lawsuits. JGW’s fees are calculated based on a percentage of the debt enrolled in the program. Read and understand the program agreement prior to enrollment.
This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Such information or materials do not constitute and are not intended to provide legal, accounting, or tax advice and should not be relied on in that respect. We suggest that you consult an attorney, accountant, and/or financial advisor to answer any financial or legal questions.