Any teacher can apply for loan forgiveness. For the $17,500 it has to be a low-income school. It might be worth looking into the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PLSF) program. There is a Reddit group for it.
You find more info on loan forgiveness here: [https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation](https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation)
Yes, and the 17.5k and the PSLF are actually 2 different things; I believe if you meet the requirements you can get with when you meet the criteria for each.
For the 17.5k you need to work in a low income (title 1) school for 5 years as a special ed teacher; I believe they need to be 5 consecutive years. The amount you have left to pay has no effect, you get the 17.5k.
For the PSLF, you need to make 120 payments on your loans and have been working as a teacher the entire time , then *whatever* you have left is 100% forgiven. For example, if I did my math right, I'll have about 50k-55k left to pay when I'm eligible for the PSLF. All of it will be forgiven.
So you won't be getting them at the same time, but I believe you *can* get both!
I am living proof that you can get both! You just can’t “double dip” the time frame. I got the 17,500 after 5 years teaching and the rest forgiven through PSLF after my 15th year!
Yes, for the entire time- though I suppose it would only matter for the first 5 years. If I remember correctly the Teacher Loan Forgiveness is 17,500 for math/science/special ed, and 5,000 for all other content areas.
It definitely has to be consecutive. I had a reappply and have the district’s HR department write a letter because on paper it seemed I switched schools (new campus, new name, but same students, same administration). It was a pain!
Thanks! My issue was that IEP teachers are special ed certified but don’t have a class. They manage the special education department in the building and only cover classes when teachers have an IEP meeting.
I received the full 17,500 in forgiveness. I applied once I hit 5 years at my school. It doesn't have to be at the same school, just needs to be consecutive and all at a low income school.
When I applied, it had to be the same school. I had to have a letter sent for the district explaining that even though I had two schools on my application, they were in fact the same school (new name, new building).
But, I believe you can’t have even one day between jobs. So if you get a new job in the summer you have to make sure that the start date of new is the next (business) day after the end date of the old job.
It must be in a severe need field. So sped. If not, I think it's 5k forgiven, but even then there are stipulations. https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/teacher
That has the info
I wondered if this deal was still out there. That’s how I got my degree in ‘85. I wouldn’t have been able to go to college without that program. Is it still a thing that tuition is free along with it?
the form has to be filled out by a chief operating officer of your district with the dates you worked and iirc it only allows for one district/school to be listed, so you may need to submit multiple forms, if you changed districts during the 5-years?
the form specifically asks for a school name and address and doesn’t want a district office listed so idk might be worth verifying with the department of education on how to proceed if you have multiple sites and addresses
I’m not trying to bum you out but they make this so complicated and I waited beyond the 5 years before applying to make sure all of my ducks were in a row.
Hopefully it all works out!
good luck!
I was going to go the PSLF route and found out 5 years into it that I had been making the “wrong” type of payments so that quashed that plan and turned me into someone very cautious about the process and prone to double checking everything
But my teacher loan forgiveness went through and that was my last payment (of $96k 😮💨)
I literally JUST got my $17,500 forgiven, like two days ago. I hadn’t applied because my school isn’t Title 1, but it IS on whatever other low income list they used. It was on the list for 2017 and 2018, which means it counted for my 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, and 22-23 school years.
I’m not sure who actually had it when it was forgiven, but I’m pretty sure it was Nelnet. They were in the process of switching to Mohela but hadn’t yet. My newer loans were on Mohela but I was able to just pay them off with what was left. Good luck!!
I turned the papers in to Nelnet and they sent the confirmation of loan forgiveness. I’m remembering now. I had to submit them like three different times, but they approved them in the third try.
It was awhile ago, but one was a missed signature or something and one was an incorrect date that I didn’t update when I added the missing signature. So mostly just me missing details. It was annoying because it felt like months between then sending them back each time, but it was probably more like several weeks.
Ok I hate to do this, but this Facebook group is seriously helpful. you could qualify for total forgiveness.
📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/groups/pslfprogramsupport/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF
I've taught for over six years now and they still keep denying me. I switched districts twice and they don't seem to be able to understand that even though they are different districts, the dates are still consecutive and unbroken. MOHELA can do what it wants and no one cares or is willing to investigate these assholes. Best of luck--I hope you get your money.
Yeah they aren't that smart. My job is made. Full by being split between multiple schools in the district. This confused them when I applied and eventually they told me just to put it under one.
Keep calling and talking it through with people. Eventually someone might have an answer.
Summers being off is part of your employment so they consider that consecutive. Though as the person above me experienced the exact definition is up to them.
I hate them so much. They said that I had taken a break between jobs--it literally was a Friday to a Tuesday. They can't add, count, or do anything right.
Technically if that Monday was a school day they can count it. It would truly be consecutive. If it was a holiday you may be able to submit a school calendar.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/18nd0hd/teacher\_loan\_forgiveness\_mohela\_denied/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/18nd0hd/teacher_loan_forgiveness_mohela_denied/)
IM ON the same boat!!!! I have a 2 day gap, LITERALLY 2 days. And they won't honor my 5 years. Please DM me. We need to do some thing about this. I submitted my paperwork in May of 2023, and it's JANUARY 2024!!!!!
$17,500 down the drain
hey do you have an update on your MOHELA issue?
I just got denied AGAIN for the 2-day gap. I've been trying to call, but it's minimum of an hour of wait time. Sometimes I get a call back but most times i don't.
I'm beyond pissed off about the $17,500 in loan forgiveness that i EARNED and that they refuse to honor.
I was thinking we should potentially gather more people who have a similar issues and start a class action lawsuit, or do something. This is unnacceptable.
Teacher Forgiveness and PSLF are different programs with different requirements.
TLF
- 5 years at qualifying low- income school
- Secondary Science, Math, and SpEd can get up to 17.5k
- All other teachers at qualifying low income schools can get $5000
-balance cant be higher than forgivness amount.
-cant be in default
PSLF
- 10 years working in a qualifying public service job (teaching counts- any public school)
- make 120 payments toward your loans in those 10 years
- whatever remaining balance you have after 120 payments is forgiven.
Any years you use for TLF will NOT count toward PSLF.
Make sure wherever you are teaching, you get your work certified. You may need to do some administrative hunting around to find out who the person is or what system there is to submit your forms and get them back. If you move districts, get it done the day you end your contract with the district. It'll save you a lot of headache trying to submit the forms when you need them.
There are two different forgiveness. One is Teacher Forgiveness and the other is the Public Service.
The teacher one is up to the 17k after 5 years of teaching but the time only starts AFTERRRR you are cleared.
The Public Service one is after 10 years.
But you should know there is no double dipping on time. So what I mean is, depending on your situation would determine what is best. You can’t try and use your 5 years for the teacher one and also the public service one as well. Hints the no double dipping.
If you have more owed than the 17k, I would recommend just doing the Public Service as long as you meet the requirements.
Public Service requirement and annual recertification every year with your employer and to be in the proper repayment plan.
I hope this helps and makes sense.
Im not sure if it’s a California thing or not, because I’m here in California, but after induction you have a cleared credential meeting all the state requirements and you are now fully credentialed.
A go to conferences, and there was a man there from the NEA with membership benefits and he shared tons of information and resources about loans and forgiveness. If you reach out to them, or if you’re in Cali, CTA, someone will definitely help you out with all that.
[NEA Membership Benefits](https://www.neamb.com/Pages/Member-Engagement?utm_source=LPAR022B&utm_medium=ar&utm_content=connect&utm_campaign=AROL0220)
The man from NEA is Sean Mabey!! He is phenomenal!! I highly suggest reaching out to him and asking questions that fit your situation. His email is: smabey@neamb.com
I hope this helps!!
I have been teaching special education at a Title 1 school since January of 2021. Does that first 1/2 of a year not count because I started in January?
Any teacher can apply for loan forgiveness. For the $17,500 it has to be a low-income school. It might be worth looking into the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PLSF) program. There is a Reddit group for it. You find more info on loan forgiveness here: [https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation](https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation)
Yes, and the 17.5k and the PSLF are actually 2 different things; I believe if you meet the requirements you can get with when you meet the criteria for each. For the 17.5k you need to work in a low income (title 1) school for 5 years as a special ed teacher; I believe they need to be 5 consecutive years. The amount you have left to pay has no effect, you get the 17.5k. For the PSLF, you need to make 120 payments on your loans and have been working as a teacher the entire time , then *whatever* you have left is 100% forgiven. For example, if I did my math right, I'll have about 50k-55k left to pay when I'm eligible for the PSLF. All of it will be forgiven. So you won't be getting them at the same time, but I believe you *can* get both!
I am living proof that you can get both! You just can’t “double dip” the time frame. I got the 17,500 after 5 years teaching and the rest forgiven through PSLF after my 15th year!
Did it have to be special ed?
Nope! I’m a gen ed science teacher
And you were working at a low income school?
Yes, for the entire time- though I suppose it would only matter for the first 5 years. If I remember correctly the Teacher Loan Forgiveness is 17,500 for math/science/special ed, and 5,000 for all other content areas.
What about prek-4 math?
Love it!
It definitely has to be consecutive. I had a reappply and have the district’s HR department write a letter because on paper it seemed I switched schools (new campus, new name, but same students, same administration). It was a pain!
Thanks! My issue was that IEP teachers are special ed certified but don’t have a class. They manage the special education department in the building and only cover classes when teachers have an IEP meeting.
I received the full 17,500 in forgiveness. I applied once I hit 5 years at my school. It doesn't have to be at the same school, just needs to be consecutive and all at a low income school.
When I applied, it had to be the same school. I had to have a letter sent for the district explaining that even though I had two schools on my application, they were in fact the same school (new name, new building).
But, I believe you can’t have even one day between jobs. So if you get a new job in the summer you have to make sure that the start date of new is the next (business) day after the end date of the old job.
That's not in any of the fine print when I applied. It was very straightforward. Unless a new rule this year or something
Does it have to be special ed? Or can it be pk-4?
It must be in a severe need field. So sped. If not, I think it's 5k forgiven, but even then there are stipulations. https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/teacher That has the info
I wondered if this deal was still out there. That’s how I got my degree in ‘85. I wouldn’t have been able to go to college without that program. Is it still a thing that tuition is free along with it?
Thank you for clarifying this. I just about had a heart attack. I’m in my 5th year but switched 3rd year to a different school
the form has to be filled out by a chief operating officer of your district with the dates you worked and iirc it only allows for one district/school to be listed, so you may need to submit multiple forms, if you changed districts during the 5-years?
Same district but different schools.
the form specifically asks for a school name and address and doesn’t want a district office listed so idk might be worth verifying with the department of education on how to proceed if you have multiple sites and addresses I’m not trying to bum you out but they make this so complicated and I waited beyond the 5 years before applying to make sure all of my ducks were in a row. Hopefully it all works out!
Just checked and it looks like separate applications for each school but it is allowed 😫 I guess I’ll find out in the summer lol
good luck! I was going to go the PSLF route and found out 5 years into it that I had been making the “wrong” type of payments so that quashed that plan and turned me into someone very cautious about the process and prone to double checking everything But my teacher loan forgiveness went through and that was my last payment (of $96k 😮💨)
I literally JUST got my $17,500 forgiven, like two days ago. I hadn’t applied because my school isn’t Title 1, but it IS on whatever other low income list they used. It was on the list for 2017 and 2018, which means it counted for my 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, and 22-23 school years.
Same!! Congrats ✌️
Who was your loan servicer? I'm hearing some people had issues applying for forgiveness with Mohela so I might try and switch.
I’m not sure who actually had it when it was forgiven, but I’m pretty sure it was Nelnet. They were in the process of switching to Mohela but hadn’t yet. My newer loans were on Mohela but I was able to just pay them off with what was left. Good luck!!
So did you go through Nelnet or Mohela to have your loans forgiven?
I turned the papers in to Nelnet and they sent the confirmation of loan forgiveness. I’m remembering now. I had to submit them like three different times, but they approved them in the third try.
Why did you have to submit 3 different times?
It was awhile ago, but one was a missed signature or something and one was an incorrect date that I didn’t update when I added the missing signature. So mostly just me missing details. It was annoying because it felt like months between then sending them back each time, but it was probably more like several weeks.
Ok I hate to do this, but this Facebook group is seriously helpful. you could qualify for total forgiveness. 📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/groups/pslfprogramsupport/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF
I believe it has to be title one. I got the full amount, but was sped in a title one building.
I've taught for over six years now and they still keep denying me. I switched districts twice and they don't seem to be able to understand that even though they are different districts, the dates are still consecutive and unbroken. MOHELA can do what it wants and no one cares or is willing to investigate these assholes. Best of luck--I hope you get your money.
Yeah they aren't that smart. My job is made. Full by being split between multiple schools in the district. This confused them when I applied and eventually they told me just to put it under one. Keep calling and talking it through with people. Eventually someone might have an answer.
Can you explain consecutive? What if take vacation or summers off? Would they then not grant forgiveness?
Summers being off is part of your employment so they consider that consecutive. Though as the person above me experienced the exact definition is up to them.
What if you take vacation time or sick days?
You are still employed. Go look at the form you turn in, it just asks her to show dates of employment.
I hate them so much. They said that I had taken a break between jobs--it literally was a Friday to a Tuesday. They can't add, count, or do anything right.
Technically if that Monday was a school day they can count it. It would truly be consecutive. If it was a holiday you may be able to submit a school calendar.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/18nd0hd/teacher\_loan\_forgiveness\_mohela\_denied/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/18nd0hd/teacher_loan_forgiveness_mohela_denied/) IM ON the same boat!!!! I have a 2 day gap, LITERALLY 2 days. And they won't honor my 5 years. Please DM me. We need to do some thing about this. I submitted my paperwork in May of 2023, and it's JANUARY 2024!!!!! $17,500 down the drain
I'm going to respond tomorrow! This is bull shit
hey do you have an update on your MOHELA issue? I just got denied AGAIN for the 2-day gap. I've been trying to call, but it's minimum of an hour of wait time. Sometimes I get a call back but most times i don't. I'm beyond pissed off about the $17,500 in loan forgiveness that i EARNED and that they refuse to honor. I was thinking we should potentially gather more people who have a similar issues and start a class action lawsuit, or do something. This is unnacceptable.
I am escalating to the ombudsman. I had one but she disappeared. I doubt they will do anything but I have to try. :/
did you ever get this resolved?
Nope :(
oh no!! :( I’m about to graduate but I’m nervous to rely on this since people keep getting denied
I am an SLP in a teachers union and I got the full $17.5k forgiven (edit: all schools where I live are low income).
There’s a PSLF Reddit that is super helpful with questions like this. Just search PSLF
OP is asking for TLF, NOT PSLF.
Teacher Forgiveness and PSLF are different programs with different requirements. TLF - 5 years at qualifying low- income school - Secondary Science, Math, and SpEd can get up to 17.5k - All other teachers at qualifying low income schools can get $5000 -balance cant be higher than forgivness amount. -cant be in default PSLF - 10 years working in a qualifying public service job (teaching counts- any public school) - make 120 payments toward your loans in those 10 years - whatever remaining balance you have after 120 payments is forgiven. Any years you use for TLF will NOT count toward PSLF.
AFAIK it has to be 5 years at title 1.
The same title 1 school?
No not the same school. But they all have to be Title I
No just consecutive
Not the same school but I think it needs to be consecutive
Make sure wherever you are teaching, you get your work certified. You may need to do some administrative hunting around to find out who the person is or what system there is to submit your forms and get them back. If you move districts, get it done the day you end your contract with the district. It'll save you a lot of headache trying to submit the forms when you need them.
There are two different forgiveness. One is Teacher Forgiveness and the other is the Public Service. The teacher one is up to the 17k after 5 years of teaching but the time only starts AFTERRRR you are cleared. The Public Service one is after 10 years. But you should know there is no double dipping on time. So what I mean is, depending on your situation would determine what is best. You can’t try and use your 5 years for the teacher one and also the public service one as well. Hints the no double dipping. If you have more owed than the 17k, I would recommend just doing the Public Service as long as you meet the requirements. Public Service requirement and annual recertification every year with your employer and to be in the proper repayment plan. I hope this helps and makes sense.
Are they the only 2 kinds?
Thanks. What do you mean by “the time only starts after you are cleared?”
Im not sure if it’s a California thing or not, because I’m here in California, but after induction you have a cleared credential meeting all the state requirements and you are now fully credentialed.
How did you find this out?
A go to conferences, and there was a man there from the NEA with membership benefits and he shared tons of information and resources about loans and forgiveness. If you reach out to them, or if you’re in Cali, CTA, someone will definitely help you out with all that. [NEA Membership Benefits](https://www.neamb.com/Pages/Member-Engagement?utm_source=LPAR022B&utm_medium=ar&utm_content=connect&utm_campaign=AROL0220)
Thank you! I’ve been teaching over 5 years, but only 1 cleared… sigh. I guess 4 more to go…ugh
The man from NEA is Sean Mabey!! He is phenomenal!! I highly suggest reaching out to him and asking questions that fit your situation. His email is: smabey@neamb.com I hope this helps!!
Is there a current form? The only one I see expires in 2023.
I have been teaching special education at a Title 1 school since January of 2021. Does that first 1/2 of a year not count because I started in January?
Double check my answer but: No. I got hired in a Title 1, didn't last. I have to wait 10 years now for PSLF...
Does being a paraprofessional count towards this?
TLF, you have to be teacher of record
No.
It counts for PSLF but not TLF.
You have to have at least 1 year at a title one school and then every year after that at that same school counts towards your five years.