Student Loan Forgiveness Programs & IDR Forgiveness

Use the Student Loan IDR Engine on the /student-loan-idr page to model your total paid, forgiven balance, and timeline under SAVE, IBR, and PAYE. Understanding these projections helps you decide whether IDR forgiveness alone is sufficient or whether you should also pursue PSLF or another discharge option.

How to Apply for Forgiveness

1. Confirm your loan type and servicer. Direct Loans are required for most forgiveness programs.
2. Enroll in an IDR plan and begin making qualifying payments.
3. Submit annual recertification to maintain IDR eligibility and protect your forgiveness timeline.
4. For PSLF, submit the Employment Certification Form each year to document qualifying employment.
5. After reaching the required number of payments, submit a forgiveness application through your servicer or the Federal Student Aid website.
6. Review your credit and tax records after forgiveness to ensure the discharged balance is reported correctly.