Do Police Officers Get Student Loan Forgiveness?

Police officers, like other public servants, often manage student loan debt. Federal programs offer student loan forgiveness for those in qualifying public service roles. These initiatives support individuals who commit their careers to the public good.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness for Police Officers

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program forgives the remaining balance on eligible federal Direct Loans for police officers after 120 qualifying monthly payments. It encourages full-time public service.

PSLF eligibility requires employment by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government organization, such as city police departments or state law enforcement agencies. Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations also qualify. Eligibility is based on the employer’s type, not the job title.

Qualifying employment also requires working full-time for the eligible agency, defined by the employer’s standards or at least 30 hours per week, whichever is greater. Multiple part-time jobs with qualifying employers can combine to meet the 30-hour weekly minimum. Direct employment by the qualifying organization is required.

Only loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program qualify for PSLF, including Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS, and Consolidation Loans. Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans and Perkins Loans do not directly qualify but can become eligible if consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Understanding Qualifying Payments

PSLF requires 120 qualifying monthly payments. These payments do not need to be consecutive. A payment qualifies if made on time, for the full amount due, and within 15 days of the due date. Payments must be made while employed full-time by a qualifying employer and under a qualifying repayment plan.

Qualifying repayment plans for PSLF include income-driven repayment (IDR) plans such as Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE). The 10-year Standard Repayment Plan also qualifies. However, borrowers on the Standard Repayment Plan typically repay their loans in full within 10 years, leaving no balance to forgive.

The Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness (TEPSLF) program offers an alternative for those who made payments under non-qualifying plans like Graduated or Extended Repayment. TEPSLF requires meeting general PSLF employment and loan type requirements. The amount paid in the 12 months prior to applying, and the last payment made, must be at least what would have been paid under an IDR plan.

Payments made during deferment or forbearance typically do not count toward the 120 qualifying payments. Exceptions include certain military service deferment, economic hardship deferment, and the COVID-19 payment pause, which counted if employment was certified. Recent temporary changes, like the IDR Account Adjustment, have allowed some forbearance periods (e.g., 12 consecutive or 36 cumulative months) to count toward PSLF credit.

The Forgiveness Application Process

The PSLF process involves certifying employment and applying for forgiveness. The Employment Certification Form (ECF), often integrated with the PSLF Help Tool, confirms an officer’s qualifying employment and tracks payments. It verifies employer eligibility and full-time employment status.

Borrowers submit the ECF using the PSLF Help Tool on the student aid website. The tool helps search for qualifying employers, prepare the form, and request employer signatures. The form requires personal information and employment details.

An authorized official from the police department or qualifying employer must sign and certify the employment section. Once signed, the form can be submitted electronically via the Help Tool, or by mail or fax to the loan servicer.

After 120 qualifying monthly payments, the final step is to submit the PSLF Application for Forgiveness to the loan servicer, currently MOHELA. The police officer must still be employed by a qualifying employer when submitting this application and when forgiveness is granted. The PSLF Help Tool can also generate this final application.

Upon submission, the loan servicer reviews the borrower’s eligibility and payment history. Processing typically takes one to three months. If approved, the remaining balance of eligible Direct Loans, including outstanding interest and principal, will be forgiven. Any payments made beyond the 120 required will generally be refunded.

Important Considerations for Police Officers

For police officers pursuing student loan forgiveness, proactive loan management and diligent record-keeping are important. Officers with older federal loans, such as FFEL Program or Perkins Loans, should consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan. This consolidation is a prerequisite for these loan types to become PSLF eligible. The process makes loans eligible but does not reduce the interest rate.

Regularly submitting the Employment Certification Form (ECF) is recommended annually or with employer changes. This ensures payments are correctly counted and tracked by the loan servicer, providing a continuous record of qualifying employment and payments. It also prevents gathering years of certifications when applying for final forgiveness.

Maintaining enrollment in an eligible income-driven repayment plan throughout the 120-payment period is important for PSLF. These plans calculate monthly payments based on income and family size, potentially resulting in lower payments and a higher remaining balance for forgiveness. Staying on the correct repayment plan ensures payments count toward the required total.

Thorough record-keeping is crucial for navigating the PSLF process. Police officers should retain copies of all submitted forms, including ECFs and the final forgiveness application, payment histories, and correspondence with their loan servicer. These records are helpful if discrepancies or questions arise regarding eligibility or payment counts. Communication with the loan servicer, currently MOHELA, is also encouraged for any questions or changes affecting PSLF eligibility.