DC Student Loan Forgiveness: Your Best Options for Relief

Updated on March 4, 2025

Quick Facts

DC doesn’t have broad student loan forgiveness, but you still have options. If you work in law or healthcare, DC offers repayment assistance to lower your loan costs.
Federal forgiveness programs can erase your loans. If you work in government, nonprofits, or public service, PSLF or IDR forgiveness may apply to you.
If forgiveness isn’t an option, other programs can help. Employer assistance, DCTAG, and the DC Student Loan Ombudsman offer financial relief and guidance.

Overview

Searching for District of Columbia student loan forgiveness can feel like hitting a dead end. Unlike some states, DC doesn’t have a broad, state-sponsored forgiveness program. But that doesn’t mean borrowers in the district are out of luck.

If you work for the federal government, a DC agency, a nonprofit, or in a high-need field like healthcare or education, there are still ways to get relief. Federal forgiveness programs like PSLF can wipe out your balance after 10 years of qualifying payments, and DC has loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) that help certain professionals pay off their debt faster.

This guide breaks down:

Which student loan forgiveness and repayment programs exist in DC
Who qualifies and how to apply
What to do if you don’t qualify for forgiveness

Let’s get straight to the answers.

District of Columbia Student Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Assistance Programs

Washington, DC doesn’t have a broad student loan forgiveness program, but there are loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) that help certain professionals pay off their student debt. These programs don’t erase loans completely, but they can cover a significant portion of your payments if you qualify.

DC Bar Foundation Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

The DC Bar Foundation LRAP provides interest-free, forgivable loans of up to $12,000 per year to help legal aid attorneys repay their student loans. This program is designed to attract and retain attorneys working in civil legal services for low-income DC residents. If you stay in qualifying employment, the assistance does not have to be repaid.

Who qualifies: Attorneys working for DC-based nonprofit legal aid organizations that provide civil legal services to low-income or underserved communities. Annual income must be under $100,000.
How much: Up to $12,000 per year in forgivable loan assistance.
How to apply: LRAP transitioned to a rolling enrollment process, allowing attorneys to apply for assistance shortly after their hiring, rather than waiting for an annual application period. For further inquiries, contact the DC Bar Foundation at LRAP@dcbarfoundation.org.

DC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)

The District of Columbia’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program offers loan repayment assistance to physicians, dentists, nurses, mental health providers, and other licensed healthcare professionals who commit to working in underserved areas of DC.

Who qualifies: Licensed healthcare providers working at an HPLRP-certified Service Obligation Site (SOS) in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area (MUA) in DC.
How much:
- Up to $165,040 over four years for physicians and dentists
- Up to $90,770 for nurses, mental health providers, and other eligible professionals
How to apply: Applications open twice a year in early fall and early spring. Awards are based on funding availability.

Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Programs for DC Borrowers

If you don’t qualify for a District of Columbia loan repayment assistance program, you still have options.

Federal student loan forgiveness programs are available to DC borrowers who work in public service, education, healthcare, or other qualifying fields. These programs can erase part or all of your student debt if you meet certain requirements.

Here’s a look at the major federal programs you can use:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): PSLF forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you’ve made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. Eligible employers include government organizations at any level, not-for-profit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and other types of not-for-profit organizations that provide certain types of qualifying public services.
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness: IDR plans, such as the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) and Income-Based Repayment (IBR), set your monthly student loan payment at an amount intended to be affordable based on your income and family size. After making payments for 20 or 25 years, depending on the plan, any remaining loan balance is forgiven. The Department of Education has implemented a one-time adjustment to count certain periods toward IDR forgiveness, bringing many borrowers closer to relief. Related: Is the IDR Adjustment Still Happening?
Borrower Defense to Repayment: The Department of Education has recently expanded relief under this program, canceling loans for borrowers who attended institutions found to have committed substantial misconduct.
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge: Borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled may qualify for a discharge of their federal student loans. The Department of Education has taken steps to identify and provide automatic discharges for eligible borrowers through data matching with the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Other Programs That Can Help with Student Loans in DC

In addition to the DC student loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs previously discussed, District of Columbia residents have access to several other resources that can help manage and reduce student loan debt:

DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG): While not a loan forgiveness program, DCTAG provides up to $10,000 per academic year to cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public colleges and universities nationwide. It also offers up to $2,500 per academic year for private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and private institutions in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This grant can significantly reduce the need for student loans.
DC Student Loan Ombudsman: The Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB) offers assistance through the Student Loan Ombudsman. This office helps borrowers understand their loan repayment options, resolve disputes with loan servicers, and provides guidance on avoiding default. They can be reached at (202) 727-8000 or DCLoanHelp@dc.gov.
Employer-Based Student Loan Repayment Assistance: Some employers in the DC area, including government agencies and nonprofits, offer student loan repayment assistance as part of their benefits package. For example, the DC Council has established the Council Employee Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program, which provides loan repayment assistance to Council employees who have been employed for one or more years.
Federal Student Aid Programs: By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, students can access various federal financial aid programs, including Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Stafford Loans, and work-study opportunities. These programs can reduce the reliance on student loans and provide manageable repayment options.

Bottom Line

DC student loan forgiveness isn’t as straightforward as in some states, but there are still options to reduce or eliminate your debt.

If you work in public service, healthcare, or law, programs like PSLF and IDR forgiveness could lead to full loan cancellation. If you’re a public interest lawyer or healthcare provider, DC’s loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) can help you pay off debt faster. And if none of these apply, employer-based student loan benefits and federal aid programs may still offer relief.

The hardest part is figuring out what you qualify for and how to apply without missing key details. That’s where we come in.

Book a call with our student loan expert today to get: