Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Who qualifies for teacher loan forgiveness, how much is forgiven, how it interacts with PSLF, and a calculator.
Teacher loan forgiveness calculator
Teacher loan forgiveness: how much
Full-time teachers who teach for five complete and consecutive academic years at a qualifying low-income school or educational service agency can have up to $17,500 forgiven if they're highly qualified secondary math or science teachers or special education teachers, or up to $5,000 for other elementary and secondary teachers. It applies to Direct and FFEL subsidized and unsubsidized loans, not PLUS loans.
Teacher loan forgiveness vs PSLF
The same period of teaching can't count toward both teacher loan forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which forgives the remaining balance after 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. Teachers with large balances often get more from PSLF; compare both before applying.
See your repayment numbers with the student loan payback calculator.
Common questions
How much is teacher loan forgiveness?
Up to $17,500 for highly qualified math, science or special education teachers, or up to $5,000 for other teachers.
How many years do I need to teach?
Five complete and consecutive academic years at a qualifying school.
Can I get teacher loan forgiveness and PSLF?
Not for the same period of service.
Sources
More loan and car calculators: Unsubsidized Loan 2026-27 · APR Calculator & APY Calculator
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General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.