Delaware Student Loan Forgiveness: Real Options That Help

• Delaware doesn’t offer state-based student loan forgiveness, but if you work in healthcare or education, you may qualify for loan repayment assistance programs that cover up to $200,000 of your student debt.

• For full loan forgiveness, federal programs like PSLF, IDR forgiveness, and Teacher Loan Forgiveness can eliminate your remaining balance if you qualify.

• If you don’t qualify for these programs, you can still lower your payments through employer benefits, refinancing, or income-driven repayment plans.

If you’re searching for Delaware student loan forgiveness, you’re probably hoping the state has a program that can wipe out your debt. It doesn’t. Delaware doesn’t offer any state-based loan forgiveness programs—but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck paying off your loans alone.

Delaware has loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs), instead. These aren’t the same as forgiveness, but they can help pay down your loans if you work in a high-need profession like healthcare or education.

So if you were looking for a way to get rid of your student loans completely, your best bet is federal programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or IDR forgiveness.

But if you work in healthcare, education, or public service, Delaware’s repayment programs might still put thousands of dollars back in your pocket.

Here’s exactly what’s available—and whether it can help you.

Related: State-Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

Delaware doesn’t offer student loan forgiveness, but it does provide loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) to help healthcare workers and educators reduce their student debt.

These programs require a service commitment in high-need areas in exchange for loan repayment benefits.

Delaware Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program (HCPLRP)

Delaware offers the Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program to attract primary care providers to underserved communities. Eligible healthcare professionals can receive substantial loan repayment assistance in exchange for a service commitment in a Health Professional Shortage Area.

• Who qualifies? Physicians, specialists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants who completed their education within the past two years. Priority is given to those with Delaware residency, multilingual fluency, or backgrounds in underrepresented medical environments.

• What do you get? Up to $50,000 per year in loan repayment, renewable for four years (maximum $200,000). Awards are based on geographic need, medical background, and Delaware ties.

• How to apply? Check if your workplace is in a Delaware HPSA using the HPSA Find Tool. Submit the employer and practitioner applications by email and loan verification by mail, email, or fax.

Delaware State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

Delaware’s State Loan Repayment Program helps healthcare providers reduce student debt in exchange for working in federally designated HPSAs. The program aims to improve healthcare access in underserved communities by offering loan repayment assistance to qualified professionals.

• Who qualifies? Physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, mental health providers, and other healthcare professionals. Applicants must commit to at least two years of full-time or part-time service at an approved HPSA site.

• What do you get? Loan repayment assistance ranging from $30,000 to $100,000, based on profession and service length. Awards are prioritized based on provider qualifications and service area needs.

• How to apply? Applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines on March 15 and September 15 for contract start dates in May and November, respectively. Submit the employer and practitioner applications by email and loan verification by mail, email, or fax.

Delaware High Needs Educator Student Loan Payment Program

To combat teacher shortages in critical subject areas, this program helps educators working in high-need schools in Delaware or teaching in-demand subjects pay down their student loans.

• Who qualifies? Delaware-certified teachers working in high-need schools or teaching subjects like STEM, special education, or ESL.

• What do you get? Annual loan repayments between $1,000 and $2,000, renewable for up to five years (maximum $10,000).

• How to apply? Ensure you have a valid Delaware teaching certificate, then follow the application process outlined by the Delaware Department of Education. More details can be found on the Educator Loan Repayment Programs page.

How These Programs Compare to Loan Forgiveness

Delaware’s programs help reduce student debt, but they don’t completely eliminate it like federal forgiveness programs. If you qualify, you can receive thousands of dollars in loan repayment assistance, but any remaining balance will still be your responsibility.

If your goal is full loan forgiveness, federal programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) forgiveness are your best options.

For healthcare workers and teachers in Delaware, these state repayment programs can still make a significant difference by paying down a portion of your loans. If you’re eligible, applying for both state repayment assistance and a federal forgiveness program could maximize your benefits.

Related: How Does Student Loan Forgiveness Work?

Delaware’s loan repayment assistance programs can help reduce student debt, but they won’t wipe it out completely. If you’re looking for full loan forgiveness, your best option is to apply for federal forgiveness programs.

These programs are available to all eligible borrowers, including Delaware residents, and can eliminate some or all of your student debt if you meet the requirements.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan while working full-time for a government or nonprofit employer.

• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness adjusts your student loan payments based on your income and family size. After 20 or 25 years of payments, any remaining loan balance is forgiven.

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness provides up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness on Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans for teachers who work five consecutive years in a low-income school or educational service agency. This program is separate from PSLF, but teachers may be able to use both programs for maximum loan relief.

• Borrower Defense to Repayment cancels student loan debt for borrowers whose schools misled them or engaged in fraudulent practices. The Department of Education has streamlined the process, making it easier for affected borrowers to receive relief. If you attended a predatory for-profit school or were promised job placements and earnings that didn’t materialize, you should check if you’re eligible.

Related: Can You Still Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness?

If you don’t qualify for Delaware’s loan repayment programs or federal forgiveness, you still have options to lower your student debt. Here’s what you can do:

• Check Employer Student Loan Repayment Benefits: Some Delaware-based employers offer student loan repayment assistance as part of their benefits package. If you work for a large company, hospital, or educational institution, ask about student loan perks.

• Explore Refinancing for Lower Interest Rates: If you have private student loans or high-interest federal loans, refinancing could help lower your monthly payments. But keep in mind—refinancing federal loans makes you ineligible for forgiveness programs, so only consider this if you’re sure you won’t qualify for PSLF or IDR forgiveness. Related: How to Refinance a Student Loan?

• Adjust Your Federal Loan Repayment Plan: If full forgiveness isn’t an option, switching to an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan can lower your payments and put you on track for forgiveness after 20–25 years. Even if forgiveness takes time, an IDR plan can make payments more manageable right now. Related: Is the IDR Adjustment Still Happening?

• Look for State or Local Grants: While Delaware doesn’t have statewide loan forgiveness, some local initiatives, nonprofits, or professional associations may offer grants or stipends for certain workers. Check with your professional board, union, or local government to see if anything is available.

• Consider Side Income for Extra Payments: If your main goal is to pay off your student loans faster, using side income, tax refunds, or employer bonuses to make extra payments can help. Just make sure to apply extra payments directly to the principal balance to reduce interest charges.

Even if you don’t qualify for forgiveness, you’re not stuck. Small changes, whether through employer benefits, refinancing, or an IDR plan, can make a big difference in managing your debt.

Delaware doesn’t offer student loan forgiveness, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with your debt. If you work in healthcare or education, state repayment programs can put thousands of dollars toward your loans. If you need full loan forgiveness, your best shot is federal programs like PSLF or IDR forgiveness.

But what if you don’t qualify?

You still have options: adjusting your repayment plan, looking into employer benefits, or even refinancing (if it makes sense for you). The problem is, most borrowers don’t know which strategy will actually save them the most money, and that’s where we come in.

Book a call with our student loan expert today!

We’ll help you understand your options, maximize any available benefits, and create a plan to manage your debt. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Let’s find the best way forward together.

Related Readings:

• Healthcare Worker Loan Forgiveness

• Which Student Loan Repayment Plan is Best?