Student Loan Forgiveness

Student loan forgiveness programs encourage students to pursue educational goals that will lead to employment in specific occupations. These programs forgive part or all of your educational loan debt, provided you fulfill certain work-related requirements.

Typically, loan forgiveness programs apply only to student loans secured through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).

Applying for Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness

The purpose of the Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession. You may qualify if you teach full-time at a low-income school and meet other qualifications.

View full details of the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program at the Federal Student Aid website.

What you need to apply

Please be sure to send us hard copies of the following documentation with your application.

Letter from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
The CAO (superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal or assistant principal) at the school where you performed your qualifying teaching service must certify your completion and other teacher-specific qualifying attributes during the academic years for which you're requesting loan forgiveness.

If you taught at different schools… Then…
During different academic years, Each CAO must certify your qualifying status.
Within one academic year but still completed a full academic year's service, Either one of the CAOs may certify your eligibility.

Teacher-specific documentation

If you teach… Then we need…
Full time in a secondary school (i) in a subject relevant to your academic major, or (ii) as a highly qualified teacher,
  • A copy of your academic transcript (unofficial is acceptable) and
  • A letter from the CAO certifying the subject (must include name of subject) which you taught.

OR

  • Documentation that you have met the highly qualified criteria:
    • Full state certification covering the academic years for which you're requesting forgiveness,
    • A copy of your bachelor's degree (photocopy or unofficial transcript listing the degree earned) and
    • A copy of your Praxis or HOUSSE scores showing you passed the state-required certification for licensure.
Special education in either elementary or secondary school and have worked with only children with disabilities,
  • A copy of your full state certification covering the academic years for which you're requesting forgiveness,
  • A copy of your bachelor's degree (photocopy or unofficial transcript listing the degree earned),
  • A letter from the CAO certifying that you have taught only special education children in a self-contained or inclusive classroom,

AND

  • Documentation that you have met the highly qualified teaching requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act:
    • A copy of your Praxis or HOUSSE scores or
    • A letter from the CAO stating that you have met the requirements.
Science or math in a secondary school,
  • A copy of your full state certification covering the academic years for which you're requesting forgiveness,
  • A copy of your bachelor's degree (photocopy or unofficial transcript listing the degree earned),
  • A copy of your Praxis or HOUSSE scores and
  • A letter from your CAO stating that you have only taught secondary science or math.

How to apply

  1. Download and print the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application (92 KB PDF)
  2. Then mail your completed application and the required documents listed above to:
    AES/PHEAA
    Attn: Loan Discharge
    1200 N. 7th Street
    Harrisburg, PA 17102-1444

If you need assistance completing this application, call (717) 720-2676 or 1-800-692-7392.

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