Can You Get PSLF Twice? Rules for Multiple Forgiveness

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) helps federal student loan borrowers achieve forgiveness after a decade of public service in government or qualifying non-profit sectors. A common inquiry is whether borrowers can qualify for PSLF more than once.

Core PSLF Eligibility

To be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, borrowers must meet specific requirements related to their loans, employment, and payment history. Only Direct Loans qualify for PSLF. Other federal loans, such as FFEL Program loans or Perkins Loans, can become eligible if consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Qualifying employment includes work for U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government organizations, including military service. Employment with 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations or other non-profits providing specific public services, like public health or education, also qualifies. Full-time employment means working at least 30 hours per week for a qualifying employer. For those with multiple part-time jobs, combined hours can count if they average at least 30 hours per week with qualifying employers.

Borrowers must repay their loans under an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, such as Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), or Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. While payments under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan also qualify, most borrowers need an IDR plan to ensure a remaining balance for forgiveness. This is because the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan typically repays the loan in full before 120 payments are made.

A total of 120 qualifying monthly payments are required. These payments must be made on time, for the full amount due, and while employed full-time by a qualifying employer under an eligible repayment plan. Payments do not need to be consecutive, but only those meeting all criteria count. Borrowers must also be employed by a qualifying employer when they apply for and receive forgiveness.

Achieving PSLF Multiple Times

A borrower can receive Public Service Loan Forgiveness more than once, as the program applies forgiveness at the loan level, not as a one-time benefit per borrower, with no defined limit to how many times it can be obtained. This means different sets of loans can be forgiven at different times, provided each set meets the program’s eligibility criteria independently.

This often occurs when a borrower has multiple loans that entered repayment at different times. For example, undergraduate loans might be forgiven after 120 payments, while graduate loans taken out later continue toward forgiveness. Each loan, or consolidated group, maintains its own payment count, allowing for separate forgiveness events. Other eligible federal loans might not have been included in a prior forgiveness event.

For additional loans to be forgiven, they must independently meet the 120 qualifying payment requirement. The borrower must also maintain qualifying employment and remain in an eligible repayment plan. New or previously unforgiven federal Direct Loans can be pursued for forgiveness if they meet PSLF criteria, regardless of prior PSLF benefits received.

Managing Subsequent PSLF Applications

For borrowers pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness for additional loans or after a prior forgiveness, managing their progress is important. Regularly submitting the PSLF Employment Certification Form (ECF) is recommended annually or whenever changing employers. This form allows the Department of Education to track and confirm qualifying employment periods and update payment counts for all eligible loans.

Consistent ECF submission ensures accurate tracking of new qualifying payments. Borrowers can monitor progress through the federal student aid website, where updated payment counts are visible after each ECF submission. This regular certification helps avoid delays when applying for forgiveness, as it provides a verified record of qualifying service.

Once 120 qualifying payments are met for an additional set of loans, borrowers can submit the PSLF Application (form ED-PLSF). This application process is similar to the initial forgiveness application, requiring employment certification at the time of submission. A prior forgiveness event does not alter eligibility for any remaining eligible loans, which continue toward the 120-payment threshold.