PSLF Full-Time vs. Part-Time: How Many Hours Per Week Do You Need?

• You need 30+ hours per week at a PSLF-eligible employer to earn credit. But “full-time” status might differ per employer.

• Working part-time? Combine hours from multiple PSLF-eligible jobs to reach 30 hours weekly to qualify.

• Dropping below 30 hours pauses your PSLF progress but doesn’t erase past qualifying months.

For PSLF full-time employment status, you need to work at least 30 hours per week (on average) for a qualifying employer, per the updated PSLF regulation (34 CFR § 685.219) and the Department of Education’s rule comments in the Federal Register.

It doesn’t matter if your employer’s definition of full-time is 35 or 40 hours. You only have to meet the federal program’s 30-hour standard.

Here’s how it works:

• Single Job: If you work 30+ hours a week at a qualifying employer, you meet the PSLF full-time requirement.

• Multiple Part-Time Jobs: You can combine hours from two or more qualifying employers (e.g., 15 hours at a nonprofit plus 15 hours at a government agency) to reach the 30-hour mark.

This rule, updated on July 1, 2023, comes straight from the Department of Education. Let’s break down what it means for you.

Related: Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If your hours drop below 30 per week, your PSLF credit pauses, but you don’t lose past progress. Any months where you met the requirement still count—you just stop earning new credit until you’re back to full-time.

To regain eligibility, you need to work 30+ hours again by increasing your hours. You can also combine hours from multiple part-time jobs—as long as your employers qualify for PSLF (government or 501(c)(3) nonprofit). Once you hit 30 hours per week, your PSLF clock resumes.

To avoid issues, submit a PSLF Employment Certification Form (ECF) annually and anytime your hours change. This keeps your records updated, prevents surprises, and ensures you get credit for past work.

If your hours drop temporarily but you regain full-time status, submitting a new ECF confirms you’re back on track.

Learn more about why some payments don’t qualify here: Why Your PSLF Qualifying Payments Aren’t Counting.

• 30-Hour Minimum: You need to average 30 hours per week over your employer’s normal pay period (weekly, biweekly, or monthly). A few low-hour weeks won’t disqualify you—as long as your overall average meets the requirement.

• Adjunct Faculty: If you’re an adjunct professor or in a non-tenure-track teaching role, PSLF calculates your hours using this formula: credit/contact hours per week × 3.35. This helps adjuncts meet the 30-hour rule. This guide explains this rule better: Student Loan Forgiveness For Professors.

• Paid Time Off Counts: Vacation, sick leave, and other paid time off usually count as work hours—as long as your employer treats them that way.

To prove you meet PSLF’s work requirements:

• Submit the PSLF Employment Certification Form (ECF) every year or whenever you switch jobs.

• Keep records. Save pay stubs, W-2s, or timesheets to back up your hours.

• Working multiple part-time jobs? You’ll need a separate ECF for each public service employer.

To access PSLF, you must work an average of 30 hours per week for a government organization or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Under the July 1, 2023 rule, you do not need to meet an employer’s higher “full-time” standard—PSLF only requires 30 hours.

Working multiple part-time PSLF-eligible jobs? You can combine hours to reach 30. If your hours drop below that threshold, your PSLF progress pauses—but you won’t lose credit for past qualifying months. Simply return to 30 hours to start earning credit again.

Staying on track means keeping an eye on your hours, submitting a PSLF Form each year, certifying your employment, and maintaining solid records. The rules can be confusing, and even a small mistake could delay or derail your progress.

Talk to one of our student loan experts today to make sure you’re on the right path.

We help public service workers eliminate their federal student loan debt through PSLF—and we can help you, too.

Related reading:

• PSLF Employer Won’t Sign Your Form?

• What Jobs Qualify for PSLF?

• What is a Public Service Job?

• Does PSLF Have to be Consecutive?

• Student Loan Forgiveness Lawsuit Updates