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Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness
This program offers loan forgiveness of up to $5,000 to full-time teachers who complete five consecutive years of teaching service at a designated low-income elementary or secondary school. Special education, mathematics and science teachers teaching in eligible secondary schools may receive up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness.
This program offers loan forgiveness of up to $5,000 to full-time teachers who complete five consecutive years of teaching service at a designated low-income elementary or secondary school. Special education, mathematics and science teachers teaching in eligible secondary schools may receive up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness.
Eligibility criteria (up to $5,000):
Applicants may be eligible for Federal Stafford or Consolidation Loan forgiveness of up to $5,000 if they meet all of the following Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness criteria:
Eligibility criteria (up to $17,500):
To qualify for up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness, applicants must meet the following additional Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness criteria:
1 In Iowa, "highly qualified" means to hold an endorsement in the subject area that you teach. The standards may vary by state.
How to apply:
Applicants must complete the U.S. Department of Education approved Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application and return it to their loan holder(s). [Learn how to complete the application]
Applicants may be eligible for Federal Stafford or Consolidation Loan forgiveness of up to $5,000 if they meet all of the following Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness criteria:
- Were a "new borrower" on or after October 1, 1998, who did not have an outstanding balance on a loan through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) or Direct Loan Program as of that date.
- Teach full-time at a qualified school for five consecutive, complete academic years. At least one of the years of teaching must be after the 1997-1998 academic year.
- Complete teaching service at a designated low-income elementary or secondary school.
- For those who teach in an elementary school, the principal must certify that the applicant demonstrates knowledge in their subject area.
- For those who teach in a secondary school, the principal must certify that that the applicant teaches in a subject area that is relevant to their academic major.
- Applicants whose teaching service began on or after October 30, 2004, must meet the definition of a "highly qualified" teacher.1
- Receive the loan to be forgiven prior to completing the final year of qualified teaching service.
- Have not received a benefit for the same teaching service through the AmeriCorps Program.
- Not currently be in default on any federal student loans or have made satisfactory repayment arrangements with current loan holder.
Eligibility criteria (up to $17,500):
To qualify for up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness, applicants must meet the following additional Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness criteria:
- Be employed full-time as a mathematics or science teacher in an eligible secondary school or as a special education teacher whose primary responsibility is to provide special education to children with disabilities in an eligible elementary or secondary school.
- Meet the definition of a "highly qualified" teacher.1
1 In Iowa, "highly qualified" means to hold an endorsement in the subject area that you teach. The standards may vary by state.
How to apply:
Applicants must complete the U.S. Department of Education approved Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application and return it to their loan holder(s). [Learn how to complete the application]
- If your loan balance is less than the maximum forgiveness amount, only your outstanding principal and interest amount may be forgiven.
- You may be eligible for a forbearance to postpone payments while you complete your teaching service. Check with your loan holder for more details.
Applicants may be eligible to postpone payment while completing their teaching service and should contact their loan holder for more details.