What Is Considered Full-Time for PSLF?

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program offers a pathway for federal student loan borrowers to have their remaining loan balance forgiven. This program requires individuals to meet specific eligibility criteria, including what constitutes full-time employment.

Defining Full-Time Employment

For Public Service Loan Forgiveness, “full-time employment” is defined as working for a qualifying employer for a weekly average of at least 30 hours. This definition applies regardless of how an employer might internally classify “full-time” status for their own benefit purposes. The 30-hour weekly threshold is the program’s standard.

To qualify, employment must be with a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government organization, including U.S. military service. Not-for-profit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) also qualify. Other not-for-profit organizations may qualify if they devote a majority of their full-time equivalent employees to providing specific public services. Employment with for-profit organizations, even if they deliver public services, does not qualify for PSLF.

Counting Your Hours

If an individual works for multiple qualifying part-time employers simultaneously, their hours can be combined to reach the 30-hour per week threshold. For instance, working 15 hours a week at one qualifying non-profit and 15 hours a week at another qualifying government agency meets the full-time requirement. Each employer must independently meet the PSLF qualifying employer criteria for these combined hours to count.

Paid leave, such as sick leave, vacation time, and military leave, generally counts toward the 30-hour weekly requirement. Unpaid internships, volunteer work, or hours worked for employers that do not meet the PSLF qualifying employer criteria do not count toward the full-time requirement. For elementary and secondary school teachers, working throughout a contractual or employment period of at least eight months in a year can deem them to have worked full-time for the entire year.

Employer Certification and Verification

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Employment Certification Form (ECF) verifies a borrower’s full-time employment status. This form requires the employer to confirm employment dates and the borrower’s full-time status. An authorized official, such as from Human Resources or a direct supervisor, must complete and sign the form.

Borrowers are encouraged to submit this form annually or whenever they change employers. This regular submission allows the Department of Education to track progress toward the 120 qualifying payments and verify employer eligibility. Maintaining accurate records and ensuring employer cooperation in completing these forms is important for a streamlined forgiveness process. The information on the form helps track qualifying payments and ensures loans are transferred to the appropriate servicer, MOHELA, which manages the PSLF program.