Does My Employer Qualify For PSLF?

• Your job title doesn’t matter for PSLF—your public service employer does. Only government, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and certain public service nonprofits qualify.

• Not all nonprofits count. If your employer isn’t a 501(c)(3) or a recognized public service nonprofit, PSLF won’t apply.

• Does my employer qualify for PSLF? The only way to know for sure is to submit an official PSLF form for verification.

Does my employer qualify for PSLF? If you’re aiming for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, your employer—not your job title—determines whether you qualify.

The Department of Education will erase your remaining federal student loans after 120 qualifying payments—but only if you’ve worked full-time for an eligible employer.

So, how do you know if your employer qualifies? In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Which employers qualify for PSLF (and which don’t)

• How to check your employer’s eligibility using official tools

• Common mistakes that cost borrowers forgiveness—and how to avoid them

If PSLF is your goal, let’s make sure your employer actually counts. Here’s what you need to know.

PSLF eligibility depends on your employer—not your job title. The Department of Education only approves loan forgiveness if you work full-time for one of these:

Qualifying Government Organizations

• Federal, state, local, or tribal government agencies

• U.S. military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force)

• Public schools, colleges, and universities

501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organizations

• Charities, religious groups, and educational institutions officially recognized by the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) as 501(c)(3) nonprofits

• Many not-for-profit organizations, hospitals, private colleges, and health clinics—as long as they maintain 501(c)(3) status

Related: Nonprofit Employee Student Loan Forgiveness

Other Nonprofits That Provide Public Services

Some nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status still qualify—but only if their primary purpose is a recognized public service (e.g., public health, law enforcement, legal aid, early childhood education). These are harder to verify, so check their status or submit an Employer Certification Form to confirm.

Not all nonprofits qualify. If an organization isn’t IRS-recognized or doesn’t provide PSLF-approved public services, it won’t count—even if it calls itself a nonprofit. Always verify before assuming you’re eligible.

Related: What Jobs Qualify for PSLF?

Borrowers searching “PSLF qualifying employer search” or “Does my employer qualify for PSLF?” want a clear answer. Here’s how to verify employer and apply for student loan forgiveness in three steps:

1. Check Your Employer’s Tax Status

Your employer’s tax status determines PSLF eligibility:

• Government Employers: If you work for a federal, state, local, or tribal government agency (including public schools and public universities), your employer almost certainly qualifies.

• 501(c)(3) Nonprofits: If you work at a nonprofit, ask HR or check the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm they’re a 501(c)(3) organization.

• Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits: If your nonprofit isn’t 501(c)(3), it must provide specific qualifying public services to count. Ask HR for documentation or submit the PSLF form to get a definitive answer.

Related: PSLF Qualifying Employers List

2. Use the PSLF Employer Search Tool

The PSLF Employer Search Tool gives an initial eligibility check:

• Go to StudentAid.gov and find the PSLF Employer Search Tool.

• Enter your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from your W-2 (or ask HR).

• Review your employer’s status: A “Likely Eligible” status means your employer qualifies. If you see “Undetermined” or “Likely Ineligible,” your employer might not qualify, but you should still apply.

The database isn’t perfect—when in doubt, file the official PSLF form to get a final decision.

3. Submit the PSLF Form (Employer Certification Form)

The PSLF form is the only way to officially confirm your employer qualifies.

• Where to Find It: Download it at StudentAid.gov

• When to Submit: At least once a year or whenever you change jobs

• Why It Matters: The ED reviews the form and tracks your qualifying payments. If your employer doesn’t qualify, payments made while working there won’t count toward forgiveness.

Check your employer’s status, use the PSLF Employer Search Tool, and submit the PSLF form. That’s how you avoid wasting time on payments that won’t get you closer to loan forgiveness.

Borrowers often misunderstand PSLF employer requirements, leading to costly mistakes. Here’s what you need to know:

• “My Job Title Matters Most.” PSLF is based on your employer, not your job title. If your organization qualifies and you work full-time, your specific public service role doesn’t matter.

• “All Nonprofits Count.” Not all nonprofits qualify. Only 501(c)(3) organizations and some nonprofits that provide specific public services (as recognized by the Department of Education) meet PSLF requirements. Always check your employer’s IRS status or use the PSLF Employer Search Tool to confirm.

• “I Work Part-Time, So I Don’t Qualify.” PSLF requires full-time work—at least 30 hours per week. But if you work multiple part-time jobs at qualifying employers and your total weekly hours add up to 30 or more, you’re still eligible even without full-time employment.

• “If the PSLF Search Tool Says ‘Undetermined,’ I’m Out of Luck.” The search tool isn’t always accurate. If your employer shows as “Undetermined,” submit the PSLF Form (Employer Certification Form) anyway. Some employers only get added to the eligible list after a borrower files certification.

Even if your employer focuses on public service, certain situations can complicate PSLF eligibility:

• Hybrid or Private Organizations: Some private companies receive government funding or grants, but that doesn’t make them eligible for PSLF. If your employer isn’t a government agency, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or a nonprofit providing Department of Education-recognized public services, it won’t count. You’re better off with private student loan forgiveness options if this is your case.

• Organizational Mergers or Acquisitions: If your nonprofit employer merges with or is acquired by a for-profit company, it loses PSLF eligibility. Only the payments you made before the merger—while the employer was still eligible—will count.

• Religious Institutions: Many religious organizations and churches qualify for PSLF because they have 501(c)(3) status. But if their primary function is religious worship, they may not meet PSLF’s public service requirements. Religious nonprofits that run hospitals, food banks, schools, or other qualifying public services can still count.

Qualifying for the PSLF program isn’t a one-time check—you need to work for an eligible employer for all 120 qualifying payments. Here’s how to stay on track:

• Keep Employment Records: Save pay stubs, W-2s, and HR letters as proof of your hours and employer status. If there’s ever a dispute, you’ll have documentation ready.

• Certify Early and Often: Submit the PSLF Employer Certification Form every year and whenever you switch jobs. This keeps your loan servicer’s records updated and helps catch mistakes early before you make payments that won’t count.

• Watch for Employer Status Changes: If your nonprofit employer converts to a for-profit, future payments won’t qualify. If you think changes are coming, talk to HR immediately to confirm the organization’s status.

PSLF isn’t automatic. Track your records, certify your qualifying employment yearly, and stay ahead of employer changes to make sure every payment gets you closer to loan forgiveness.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness isn’t just about making payments—it’s about making the right payments while working for a qualifying employer.

If your employer doesn’t meet PSLF’s requirements, none of your payments will count. That’s why verifying your employer before you spend years working toward forgiveness is crucial.

If you’re unsure whether your employer qualifies—or if you’ve been making payments and want to avoid costly mistakes—our student loan experts can help.

Book a call with one of our student loan experts today to make sure you’re on the right track toward loan forgiveness.

Related reading:

• PSLF Employer Won’t Sign Your Form?

• Can PSLF Be Reversed?

• Does PSLF Have to be Consecutive?

• Student Loan Forgiveness Lawsuit Updates