Congresswoman Lawrence Announces a Temporary Funding Expansion for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Applicants

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lawrence announces a temporary funding expansion for public servants who were previously denied loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Under the Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness (TEPSLF) opportunity, applicants denied PSLF simply for making William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan payments under the wrong repayment plans, may now qualify for loan forgiveness. These funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and will be available until funding runs out. This program applies to previously denied applicants who met all PSLF criteria but participated in the wrong Direct Loan repayment plan.

“The PSLF program is a critical bipartisan promise that Congress made to our students who pursue careers in public service. This temporary funding expansion is great news for our country and for the many public servants in states like Michigan. Our nation’s teachers, military personnel, and public servants depend on this program to make their higher education affordable. As we celebrate its tenth anniversary, I am opposed to the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans’ attempts to eliminate this vital program. Since its establishment in 2007, over 600,000 borrowers have signed up for the PSLF program.

“I urge all who qualify to take advantage of this time-sensitive opportunity. Public servants are an important foundation of the 14th Congressional District and their impact on our communities would not be possible without the PSLF program.”

Background:

• The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 made available $350 million for Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness (TEPSLF).
• Note: This is a temporary opportunity. Funding will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis.
• This opportunity applies to public servants whose applications for Public Service Loan Forgiveness were denied because William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan payments were made under a non-qualifying repayment plan.
• The studentaid.ed.gov website indicates that to be eligible, applicants must have already:
  • Submitted and been denied PSLF only due to the nature of your payment plan;
  • Had at least 10 years of full-time employment certified by a qualifying employer and approved by FedLoan Servicing;
  • Made 120 qualifying payments under the new requirements for the TEPSLF while working full-time for your qualifying employer(s).
• For questions about Public Service Loan Forgiveness, please contact Fed Loan Servicing.
• For instructions on how to apply for TEPSLF, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/yb4dc3ae

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