Direct answer
PSLF forgives the remaining balance on Direct federal student loans after 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer — typically a non-profit hospital or government facility.
PSLF forgives the remaining balance on your Direct federal student loans after you make 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer — typically a non-profit hospital, academic medical center, or government facility.
What counts as a qualifying payment
A payment qualifies when it's made on a qualifying repayment plan (usually an income-driven plan like SAVE or PAYE), for the full amount due, while employed by a qualifying non-profit or government employer. Late or partial payments generally don't count, and periods of forbearance usually pause your counter.
How we help
We track your qualifying payment count, confirm your employment certification annually, and model whether PSLF or private refinancing produces the better lifetime outcome for your specific loans. For high-earning specialists who leave non-profit work, refinancing often wins; for long-tenure hospital employees, PSLF can save six figures.
Step-by-step
- 1
Confirm your loans are Direct federal loans (consolidate FFEL/Perkins first if needed).
- 2
Enroll in an income-driven repayment plan such as SAVE or PAYE.
- 3
Submit the PSLF Employment Certification Form annually to track progress.
- 4
Work full-time for a qualifying non-profit or government employer.
- 5
Make 120 qualifying on-time payments — track them in the PSLF help tool.
- 6
Apply for forgiveness after your 120th qualifying payment.
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