New Jersey Student Loan Forgiveness Programs Explained

• New Jersey student loan forgiveness can erase debt if you work in healthcare, education, law, STEM, or public service and commit to a high-need area.

• Federal programs like PSLF and IDR Forgiveness can wipe out federal loans but have strict eligibility rules.

• You may be able to combine state and federal programs, but the wrong move could cost you thousands.

New Jersey offers several student loan forgiveness programs for professionals in healthcare, education, law, STEM, and public service. If you work in a high-need field or underserved area, you may qualify for significant loan relief.

Federal programs like PSLF and Teacher Loan Forgiveness can also help wipe out remaining debt.

This guide covers:

• New Jersey’s state loan forgiveness programs—who qualifies and how to apply.

• Federal forgiveness options available to New Jersey borrowers.

• How to combine state and federal programs for maximum relief.

Here’s how to find the best loan forgiveness program for your situation.

Related: State Programs for Student Loan Forgiveness

New Jersey offers several student loan forgiveness programs to attract and retain professionals in high-need fields like healthcare, education, and public service. These programs provide financial relief in exchange for service in underserved areas across the state.

Below are the state programs available, how much they forgive, and how to apply if you qualify.

Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program

New Jersey needs more primary care providers in underserved areas. The NJ Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program offers significant loan forgiveness for medical professionals willing to commit to service. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Healthcare Workers

• Who It’s For: Primary care physicians, dentists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives.

• Forgiveness Amount: Up to $200,000 over four years.

• Eligibility: Must work full-time in a designated underserved area in New Jersey and commit to at least two years of service (extendable to four years for full benefits).

• How to Apply: Visit HESAA’s Loan Redemption page for application details.

Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program

Through the New Jersey Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program, the state is addressing the nursing faculty shortage by offering loan forgiveness to nurses who become educators at approved schools.

• Who It’s For: Nurses with a graduate degree in nursing who teach full-time at an eligible New Jersey nursing school.

• Forgiveness Amount: Up to $50,000 in loan forgiveness over five years.

• Eligibility: Must work full-time as faculty at an approved nursing program in New Jersey.

• How to Apply: Applications are available through HESAA’s website.

New Jersey STEM Loan Redemption Program

New Jersey is investing in STEM talent by offering loan forgiveness to professionals in high-demand fields through the NJ STEM Loan Redemption Program.

• Who It’s For: Graduates employed full-time in a designated high-growth STEM occupation in New Jersey.

• Forgiveness Amount: Up to $8,000 in total forgiveness, awarded as $2,000 per year for four years.

• Eligibility: Must hold a STEM-related degree and work in a qualifying STEM profession in New Jersey.

• How to Apply: Visit HESAA’s website to apply.

New Jersey Teacher Loan Redemption Program

To recruit and retain teachers in high-need areas, New Jersey offers loan forgiveness for educators working in eligible schools through its Teacher Loan Redemption Program.

• Who It’s For: Teachers newly hired in eligible school districts and critical subject areas (e.g., math, science, special education).

• Forgiveness Amount: Up to $20,000 over four years ($5,000 per year).

• Eligibility: Must work full-time in an approved school for four years to receive the full benefit.

• How to Apply: Check HESAA’s website for details.

John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program

The JRJ Student Loan Repayment Program, available for New Jersey residents, provides loan assistance to public defenders and prosecutors who commit to public service. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Lawyers

• Who It’s For: Full-time state and federal public defenders and prosecutors in New Jersey.

• Forgiveness Amount: Varies based on federal funding availability.

• Eligibility: Must commit to at least three years of service as a public defender or prosecutor.

• How to Apply: Visit HESAA’s website for application details.

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Employee Loan Redemption Program

The HCBS Employee Loan Redemption Program provides loan forgiveness for behavioral health and social service professionals in New Jersey. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Social Workers

• Who It’s For: Social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and other licensed behavioral health and social service providers employed at a state-contracted HCBS agency.

• Forgiveness Amount: Up to $50,000 per year of service.

• Eligibility: Must work full-time at a qualifying HCBS provider agency or as a self-directed employee.

• How to Apply: Visit NJ Department of Human Services for application details.

Behavioral Healthcare Provider Loan Redemption Program

The Behavioral Healthcare Provider Loan Redemption Program in New Jersey helps behavioral health professionals reduce student loan debt in exchange for continued service. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Mental Health Professionals

• Who It’s For: Licensed behavioral healthcare providers working in New Jersey.

• Forgiveness Amount: Up to $150,000 over six years.

• Eligibility: Must work full-time in an approved behavioral health role and commit to six years of service for full benefits.

• How to Apply: Check HESAA’s website for details.

State programs can help, but for many New Jersey borrowers, federal student loan forgiveness offers the biggest relief.

If you work in public service, teach in a low-income school, or make payments based on your income, you may qualify to have some or all of your federal loans forgiven.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under an income-driven repayment plan while working full-time for a government agency or eligible non-profit organization.

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness offers up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for teachers who work full-time for five consecutive years in a low-income school or educational service agency.

• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan Forgiveness forgives any remaining loan balance after 20 or 25 years of qualifying payments based on income and family size under an IDR plan.

• Federal Perkins Loan Cancellation cancels up to 100% of Federal Perkins Loans for borrowers who work in qualifying public service jobs, including teaching, nursing, and law enforcement, over a set period.

• Total and Permanent Disability Discharge eliminates federal student loan debt for borrowers who can prove they are totally and permanently disabled through documentation from a physician, the Social Security Administration, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Related: How to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness?

Yes, some borrowers can qualify for both New Jersey state loan forgiveness and federal forgiveness programs, but it depends on the program rules and your loan type.

How State and Federal Forgiveness Can Work Together

• State forgiveness first, then PSLF: If you’re working in public service and plan to apply for PSLF, you can use a New Jersey state forgiveness program first to reduce your loan balance. Then, the remaining balance may still qualify for PSLF after 120 qualifying payments.

• State forgiveness for private loans, PSLF for federal loans: Since PSLF only applies to federal loans, borrowers with both private and federal loans may use a New Jersey state program to reduce their private loan debt while working toward PSLF on federal loans. Related: How to Lower Private Student Loan Payments

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness before PSLF: If you’re a teacher, you may qualify for Teacher Loan Forgiveness (up to $17,500) and then PSLF for any remaining balance after continuing in public service.

Related: How Does Student Loan Forgiveness Work?

When You Can’t Use Both Programs

• Double-dipping is not allowed: You generally can’t apply the same service years toward both a New Jersey state forgiveness program and PSLF at the same time. If a program requires a four-year commitment, those years likely won’t count toward PSLF—but after your service period, you can then work toward PSLF.

• Some state programs limit PSLF eligibility: If a state forgiveness program pays off your entire federal loan balance, you wouldn’t have any remaining debt to qualify for PSLF.

If you’re planning to use both federal and state forgiveness, check the terms of each program and plan your repayment strategy carefully.

New Jersey student loan forgiveness programs can help wipe out debt, but each has strict eligibility rules, service commitments, and application steps. Missing a requirement could mean losing out on thousands in loan relief.

If you’re not sure which program is right for you, it’s important to get a clear plan before applying.

Should you use a state program first or apply for PSLF? Can you combine multiple programs? Are your loans even eligible?

Get the right answers before you make a move.

Book a call with our student loan expert—we’ll go over your options, explain the process, and help you avoid costly mistakes.

Related Readings:

• Is it Too Late to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness

• How Long Do Student Loans Stay on Your Credit

• Who Can I Talk to About Student Loan Forgiveness?

• Do Student Loans Ever Go Away?