Analyzing your situation…
Applying 2026 federal policy rules to your loan profile…
This usually takes 15–20 seconds on your first visit.
Current federal update: SAVE remains unavailable under the court actions. If you want the official status page or background, start with the SAVE guide.
Analyzing your situation…
Applying 2026 federal policy rules to your loan profile…
This usually takes 15–20 seconds on your first visit.
There are several major federal forgiveness programs, and the right one depends on your employer, loan type, and timeline. Here is a side-by-side comparison.
StudentDebt.ai now publishes state-level Department of Education PSLF discharge dashboards. These pages show approved borrower counts and discharged balances, not approval rates.
| Program | Timeline | Amount forgiven | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Service Loan Forgiveness | 10 years (120 payments) | 100% of remaining balance | Full |
| IDR Forgiveness | 20-25 years of payments | 100% of remaining balance | Any employment |
| Teacher Loan Forgiveness | 5 years of teaching | Up to $17,500 for eligible math, science, and special education teachers | Full |
| Perkins Loan Cancellation | 5 years of qualifying service | Up to 100% of Perkins Loan balance over a staged 5 | Teachers |
| Total and Permanent Disability | Immediate upon approval | 100% of remaining balance | Borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled based on SSA determination |
Timeline
10 years (120 payments)
Amount forgiven
100% of remaining balance - tax-free
Who qualifies: Full-time employment at a government agency or 501(c)(3) nonprofit
SAVE plan borrowers should verify whether paused months count toward PSLF and whether a switch to an active plan is appropriate.
Timeline
20-25 years of payments
Amount forgiven
100% of remaining balance - may be taxable income
Who qualifies: Any employment - this is the forgiveness path for many private-sector borrowers
IDR forgiveness may still create a tax bill depending on future federal law and the state where you file.
Timeline
5 years of teaching
Amount forgiven
Up to $17,500 for eligible math, science, and special education teachers
Who qualifies: Full-time teacher at a Title I low-income school for 5 consecutive years
Loans must have been taken out before the 5-year teaching period used for this benefit.
Timeline
5 years of qualifying service
Amount forgiven
Up to 100% of Perkins Loan balance over a staged 5-year schedule
Who qualifies: Teachers, nurses, firefighters, law enforcement, and other qualifying professions
The Perkins Loan program ended in 2017, so only older Perkins borrowers are still eligible.
Timeline
Immediate upon approval
Amount forgiven
100% of remaining balance - tax-free federally
Who qualifies: Borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled based on SSA determination, VA rating, or physician certification
The old 3-year monitoring period was eliminated in 2023, so the process is simpler than older guidance suggests.
The assessment can help you sort through loan type, employment, and repayment history before you act on a specific program.
Start assessmentNo account required to begin.