Can You Apply for Teacher Loan Forgiveness Twice?

The Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) program is a federal initiative designed to support and retain educators in areas of high need. It encourages individuals to enter and remain in the teaching profession, particularly in schools that serve low-income communities. By offering a reduction in student loan debt, the program aims to ease the financial burden for eligible teachers.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for TLF, specific criteria must be met regarding federal student loans, teaching service, and school designation. Eligible loans include Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans, including the outstanding portion of Direct Consolidation Loans or Federal Consolidation Loans that repaid these eligible loans. The loan for which forgiveness is sought must have been disbursed before the completion of the five years of qualifying teaching service.

Teachers must be employed as a full-time, highly qualified teacher for five complete and consecutive academic years. At least one of these five years must have occurred after the 1997-98 academic year. A “highly qualified” teacher has attained at least a bachelor’s degree, received full state certification, and has not had certification or licensure requirements waived on an emergency, temporary, or provisional basis.

Teaching service must take place in an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves low-income students. The U.S. Department of Education annually publishes the Teacher Cancellation Low Income (TCLI) Directory, which lists schools and educational service agencies meeting this designation. If a school is listed in the TCLI Directory for at least one year of service, subsequent years at that same school can still count towards the five years, even if the school is not listed in later years.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness is a one-time benefit. Once a borrower receives TLF, they cannot receive it again, regardless of continued teaching in eligible schools or additional qualifying service.

Applying for Forgiveness

After meeting all eligibility requirements, submit the application to your loan servicer. The official Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application form is typically available on the Federal Student Aid website or through the loan servicer’s own website.

The application form requires details about the borrower’s identity and teaching service. The chief administrative officer of the school or educational service agency where the qualifying teaching service occurred must complete and certify a portion of the form. This individual, such as a principal or superintendent, verifies the teacher’s employment and eligibility.

After the borrower and administrative officer complete their sections, submit the form to the loan servicer. If a borrower has eligible loans with multiple loan servicers, a separate application form must be sent to each. Submission methods generally include mailing the completed form, and some servicers may offer online submission.

Upon receipt, the loan servicer reviews the application to confirm eligibility and accuracy. This review can take time, and borrowers may request a forbearance to temporarily postpone payments while the application is processed, especially if they anticipate forgiveness will cover their entire outstanding balance. The servicer will then notify the borrower of the decision.

Additional Loan Forgiveness Options

Other federal student loan forgiveness or discharge options exist for teachers, especially if they have already used TLF or do not meet its criteria. These programs offer different pathways to debt relief based on employment type, repayment history, or loan type.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is an option for teachers working for qualifying government or non-profit organizations. Under PSLF, the remaining balance on federal Direct Loans can be forgiven after 120 qualifying monthly payments, typically over 10 years, while employed full-time by an eligible employer. Payments must be made under an income-driven repayment plan to maximize the benefit, and any amount forgiven under PSLF is not considered taxable income by the IRS.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans also offer a path to forgiveness, as any remaining loan balance may be forgiven after a specified repayment period, typically 20 or 25 years. Borrowers must make consistent payments based on their income and family size. Existing Federal Perkins Loans may still qualify for cancellation for teachers working in low-income schools or specific subject shortage areas. Up to 100% of the loan can be canceled incrementally over five years of service.

Some states and local entities offer their own loan forgiveness or repayment assistance programs specifically for teachers. These programs vary widely by location and often address specific local needs or teacher shortages. Educators are encouraged to research opportunities available in their state or region for additional student loan relief.