Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Tracker & Calculator
Track progress toward 120 qualifying payments under Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Calculate tax-free balance forgiven and projected completion date.
PSLF 120-Payment Milestone & Discharge Engine
Project remaining certified payments, monthly IDR obligations, and 100% tax-free loan discharge.
1. Current PSLF & Employment Metrics
Verified on your Employment Certification Form (ECF) approved by your servicer.
2. Projected Forgiveness Milestones
The Four Core Rules of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (CCRAA), the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
1. Eligible Loan Types
Only Federal Direct Loans qualify for PSLF. This includes Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Direct PLUS, and Direct Consolidation Loans. Legacy Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) and Perkins Loans do not qualify unless consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan prior to applying.
2. Qualifying Full-Time Employment
Employment eligibility is determined by the employer's tax status, NOT your specific job duties:
- Government organizations at any level (federal, state, local, or tribal).
- 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations (charitable, educational, medical).
- Peace Corps or AmeriCorps full-time volunteers.
- Ineligible: For-profit companies, partisan political organizations, and labor unions.
3. Qualifying Repayment Plans
Payments must be made under an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan (SAVE, PAYE, IBR, or ICR) or the 10-Year Standard Repayment Plan. Note that paying for 10 years on the Standard Plan pays the loan off completely in 120 payments, leaving no balance left to forgive. Therefore, enrolling in an IDR plan is essential to maximize your forgiveness amount.
4. Tax-Free Discharge Under Federal Law
Unlike standard 20- or 25-year IDR forgiveness, student loan balances forgiven through PSLF are 100% tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 108(f). You will not receive an IRS Form 1099-C, and no federal income tax is owed on the discharged balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the 120 qualifying PSLF payments have to be consecutive?
No. If you transition to a private for-profit company and later return to public service, your previous certified payments remain credited to your account indefinitely.
Which servicer manages the official PSLF program?
Federal Student Aid transitioned PSLF tracking into a centralized portal on StudentAid.gov, while servicers like MOHELA and others manage billing servicing. Historically, VSAC borrowers transferred their loans to AES or Trellis, but those seeking PSLF must ensure their loans are in the Direct Loan program.
How often should I submit the PSLF Employment Certification Form (ECF)?
FSA strongly recommends submitting an ECF annually, as well as every time you change employers, to lock in certified payment counts without delays.
Other In-House Tools
Former VSAC federal borrowers now manage monthly installments through American Education Services.
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