Federal Programs
Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
The U.S. Department of Education offers multiple federal programs to help borrowers eliminate their student loan debt. We provide expert guidance through every program — helping you determine eligibility and file successful applications.
Borrower Defense to Repayment
If your school misled you, engaged in fraudulent practices, or violated state laws related to your student loans, you may qualify for complete discharge of your federal Direct Loans through this Department of Education program.
Eligibility
- Your school made false claims about job placement or earning potential
- Your school misrepresented accreditation or program quality
- Your school used deceptive recruitment practices
- Your school violated state laws related to your education or loans
Benefits
- 100% discharge of eligible federal Direct Loans
- Refund of payments previously made on discharged loans
- Removal of loan entries from your credit report
- Forbearance during application review — no payments required
Timeline & Results
- 6-18 months for Department of Education review
- 95%+ approval rate for our prepared applications
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Government and non-profit employees can have their remaining federal Direct Loan balance forgiven tax-free after making 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
Eligibility
- You work for a government organization (federal, state, local, or tribal)
- You work for a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
- You have federal Direct Loans (or consolidate other federal loans into Direct)
- You are on an income-driven repayment plan
Benefits
- Complete forgiveness of remaining loan balance after 120 payments
- Tax-free forgiveness under current federal law
- No cap on the amount forgiven
- Qualifying employment includes military service, teaching, public health, law enforcement, and more
Timeline & Results
- 10 years of qualifying payments (does not need to be consecutive)
- We help with employment certification at every step
Income-Driven Repayment Forgiveness
Federal Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans calculate your monthly payment based on your income and family size, and forgive any remaining balance after 20-25 years of qualifying payments.
Eligibility
- You have eligible federal student loans
- Your income and family size make IDR advantageous
- You recertify your income and family size annually
- Options include IBR, ICR, PAYE, and SAVE plans
Benefits
- Monthly payments as low as $0 based on income
- Forgiveness of remaining balance after 20-25 years
- Payments count toward PSLF if you work in public service
- Protection from economic hardship
Timeline & Results
- 20-25 years depending on the specific IDR plan
- Guaranteed by law for qualifying borrowers
Closed School Discharge
If your school closed while you were enrolled or shortly after you withdrew, you may qualify for 100% discharge of your federal student loans through this Department of Education program.
Eligibility
- Your school closed while you were enrolled
- Your school closed within 120-180 days of your withdrawal
- You did not complete a comparable program at another school
- The closure prevented you from completing your program
Benefits
- 100% discharge of federal student loans for the closed school program
- Refund of payments made on those loans
- Removal of loan entries from credit report
- No application fee
Timeline & Results
- Typically 3-6 months for processing
- 100% materially complete claims when eligibility criteria are met
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Full-time teachers who serve for five consecutive academic years in low-income schools or educational service agencies may qualify for up to $17,500 in federal student loan forgiveness.
Eligibility
- You teach full-time for 5 consecutive years in a low-income school
- You hold a Direct Loan or FFEL program loan
- You are a highly qualified teacher
- You teach in a designated subject area for maximum forgiveness amount
Benefits
- Up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for qualifying teachers
- $5,000 for other qualifying teachers
- Service years can count toward PSLF simultaneously
- No federal income tax on the forgiven amount
Timeline & Results
- 5 consecutive years of qualifying teaching service
- We help verify your school and service qualify
Total & Permanent Disability Discharge
Borrowers with a total and permanent disability that prevents them from working may qualify for complete discharge of their federal student loans and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant service obligations.
Eligibility
- You have a medically documented total and permanent disability
- Your disability is verified by a physician, the VA, or Social Security Administration
- You are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity
- You meet the Department of Education's disability criteria
Benefits
- 100% discharge of federal student loans
- TEACH Grant service obligation discharge
- 3-year post-discharge monitoring period (no payments during this time)
- No tax liability on discharged amount under current law
Timeline & Results
- Typically 2-4 months for initial review
- 100% materially complete claims with proper medical documentation
Not Sure Which Program You Qualify For?
Our free assessment will evaluate your specific situation and identify every federal student loan relief program you may be eligible for. There's no obligation and no upfront cost.
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