Student Loan Forgiveness in Hawaii: What You Need to Know

• Hawaii doesn’t have a statewide loan forgiveness program, but there are other ways to get relief. Healthcare workers can get up to $50,000 per year, and former Argosy University students may qualify for debt cancellation.

• Federal loan forgiveness is still an option. PSLF cancels loans after 10 years, and IDR forgiveness kicks in after 20-25 years with lower payments based on income. Hawaii’s high cost of living may also reduce your monthly IDR payment.

• Hawaii’s loan repayment programs are competitive, and funding is limited. Hundreds apply each year, but only a portion get selected.

Student loan forgiveness in Hawaii isn’t easy to get, but real options exist. Most state programs are limited, and the details can be confusing.

But if you work in healthcare, public service, or education, you may qualify for federal or job-based loan relief. Others can lower their payments through income-driven repayment plans that lead to forgiveness.

This guide breaks it down—what’s available, who qualifies, and how to apply. No fluff, no dead ends—just real answers you can use now.

Hawaii doesn’t offer a statewide student loan forgiveness program, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

If you work in healthcare or were impacted by a school closure, you may qualify for targeted relief. These programs help professionals pay off their loans in exchange for working in high-need areas or provide financial relief to borrowers who faced sudden school closures.

Below, you’ll find clear, direct answers about who qualifies, how much you can get, and what you need to do to apply.

Related: State Programs for Student Loan Forgiveness

Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program (HSLRP)

The Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program offers significant loan repayment assistance to primary care and behavioral health providers serving in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) across Hawaii. This initiative aims to attract qualified professionals to underserved communities, enhancing access to essential healthcare services.

• Who Qualifies: Physicians (MDs/DOs), nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, psychologists, social workers, and other certified healthcare professionals. Must have completed accredited training and hold an active, unrestricted license.

• Benefit: Loan repayment for a two-year commitment, with possible extensions based on funding. Matching funds from employers or donors may be required.

• Commitment: Must work full-time at a nonprofit or public facility in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) that accepts all patients, regardless of ability to pay.

Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP)

The Hawai’i Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program aims to recruit and retain healthcare professionals by offering loan repayment assistance. Funded by the Hawai‘i State Legislature, HELP provides financial relief to licensed or certified health professionals practicing in the state.

• Who Qualifies: Licensed healthcare providers, including nurses, physician assistants, social workers, audiologists, acupuncturists, and behavioral health specialists. Must accept public insurance for at least 30% of patient care claims.

• Benefit: Up to $50,000 per year with a minimum two-year service commitment.

• Commitment: A minimum service commitment of two years (twenty-four months) is required for all participants, regardless of the loan repayment amount received.

Hawaii Island Access to Medical Care Fund

The Hawaii Island Access to Medical Care Fund was established with a generous $2.4 million donation from the late Bruce Hansen to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation. This fund aims to address the chronic shortage of healthcare professionals on Hawai‘i Island by supporting local medical providers.

• Who Qualifies: Graduates of Hawai‘i Island high schools who have completed medical training and obtained licensure as physicians.

• Benefits: The fund offers flexible financial assistance, which can be used for student loan repayment, purchasing medical equipment, or even making a down payment on a home.

• Commitment: Recipients must commit to practicing medicine on Hawai‘i Island for a minimum of five years.

This initiative helps new doctors reduce financial burdens while ensuring long-term healthcare access for residents. More details can be found through this article on Hawai‘i Community Foundation.

Argosy University Debt Cancellation

The 2019 closure of Argosy University left many students with unexpected debt. If you were affected, you may qualify for loan forgiveness through institutional debt cancellation, private loan relief, or a closed school discharge. Related: Borrower Defense Student Loan Forgiveness

• Who Qualifies: Former students of Argosy University’s Hawaii campus impacted by the closure.

• Benefits: Eligible borrowers may receive institutional debt cancellation and private loan relief. A multistate agreement secured $2.1 million in institutional debt relief for students across 12 campuses, including $81,668 for Hawaii students.

• Next Steps: You may qualify for a closed school discharge or borrower defense to repayment. Find out how to cancel your Argosy University loans.

For further assistance, contact the Hawaii Attorney General’s office or the U.S. Department of Education.

If you don’t qualify for Hawaii’s state-specific loan forgiveness programs, you still have options.

Federal student loan forgiveness programs can eliminate debt for borrowers who work in public service, teach in low-income schools, or make payments under an income-driven repayment plan. These programs are available to Hawaii residents and can provide full or partial loan cancellation depending on your situation.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) erases the remaining balance on federal student loans after 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a government agency or nonprofit. This includes teachers, nurses, military members, and public service workers. Payments don’t need to be consecutive, and if you’re on an income-driven repayment plan, they can be as low as $0 and still count toward forgiveness.

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness offers up to $17,500 in student loan forgiveness for educators who work full-time for five consecutive years in a low-income school. Math, science, and special education teachers qualify for the highest amount. Unlike PSLF, this program provides partial relief sooner but does not forgive the entire balance.

• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness cancels any remaining loan balance after 20 or 25 years of qualifying payments under an IDR plan like SAVE, PAYE, REPAYE, or IBR. Monthly payments are based on income, which means some borrowers qualify for $0 payments. After reaching the required payment term, the remaining balance is forgiven.

• Borrower Defense to Repayment cancels loans for borrowers whose schools misled them, engaged in fraud, or closed unexpectedly. If approved, the program eliminates 100% of the affected loans.

Related: How to Get My Student Loans Forgiven?

Hawaii’s student loan forgiveness options are limited, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. If you work in healthcare, teach in a low-income school, or have a public service job, you might qualify for loan relief—but figuring out which program applies to you is half the battle.

Maybe you’re eligible for PSLF but aren’t sure if your payments count. Maybe you want to apply for Hawaii’s healthcare loan repayment programs but don’t know where to start. Or maybe you just want to know how to get your payments down to something manageable.

Instead of wasting hours trying to piece together the right answer, talk to someone who knows exactly how this works.

Book a call with our student loan expert, and we’ll help you figure out what’s real, what’s worth your time, and what steps to take next.

Related Readings:

• Can You Settle Federal Student Loans?

• Are Federal Student Loans Forgiven After 25 Years?

• How Long Do Student Loans Stay on Your Credit?