Kaiser Permanente’s Nurses Qualify for PSLF

Nurses at Kaiser Permanente qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Changes made by the Biden Administration to federal rules expanded eligibility requirements to include healthcare workers contracted by nonprofit organizations.

Since Kaiser Permanente operates as a nonprofit and employs many nurses under this model, you can now count your work toward PSLF requirements.

To qualify:

1. Work full-time at a Kaiser Permanente hospital or facility.

2. Ensure your loans are federal Direct Loans.

3. Make 120 income-driven repayment plan payments while employed at Kaiser.

This change means that thousands of nurses, therapists, and other essential healthcare staff can now access student debt relief through PSLF.

Related: Is Kaiser Permanente Eligible for PSLF?

The Department of Education issued a final rule in November 2022, expanding PSLF eligibility to include contracted workers at nonprofit organizations. The update was primarily aimed at addressing barriers for doctors, as state laws in California and Texas prevent nonprofit hospitals like Kaiser Permanente from directly employing physicians.

Under the program’s earlier rules, these doctors didn’t qualify for PSLF because they weren’t in direct employment with a qualifying employer. This rule change significantly impacts physicians but also extends important benefits to other healthcare professionals.

Nurses, therapists, and technologists employed under similar contracted models are now eligible for PSLF. By broadening the definition of qualifying employment, the regulation recognizes the role of all healthcare workers providing public health services at nonprofit hospitals.

The updated guidelines allow Kaiser Permanente staff to count their work toward forgiveness under PSLF. Nurses can take full advantage of this expanded eligibility by making 120 on-time loan payments while enrolled in an IDR plan.

Related: Nonprofit Employee Student Loan Forgiveness

Determining your eligibility is simple with the PSLF Help Tool at StudentAid.gov. Follow these steps to check if you qualify:

1. Verify Your Employer: Use the PSLF Help Tool to search for Kaiser Permanente or other employers by their Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can find the EIN on your W-2 form.

2. Check Past Employment: You can also verify eligibility for any former employers dating back to October 2007, when the PSLF Program began.

3. Confirm Loan Type: Ensure your loans are federal Direct Loans. If they’re not, you may need to consolidate them into a Direct Loan. Learn How to Consolidate Student Loans for PSLF

4. Review Your Payment Plan: Only payments made under Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans count toward the 120 required payments.

Once you’ve determined your eligibility using the PSLF Help Tool, the next step is submitting your application. The process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail to ensure you meet all the requirements.

Here are the steps:

1. Complete the PSLF Form: Begin by filling out the PSLF form available on StudentAid.gov. If you’d like to skip the hassle, our Application and Documents Guide has the form ready for download. This form certifies your employment and tracks your qualifying payments for all qualifying public service work (i.e. any government or not-for-profit organization you’ve worked for).

2. Submit Employment Certification: Use the PSLF Help Tool to generate your Employment Certification Form. You’ll need to provide information about your current and past qualifying employers, including their EINs.

3. Send Your Documents to Your Loan Servicer: Once your PSLF form and certification are complete, submit them to MOHELA, the official loan servicer for PSLF applications. They’ll review your paperwork and provide updates on your progress toward forgiveness.

4. Track Your Progress: Keep a record of all submissions, including copies of your forms and confirmation emails. Regularly check your account on StudentAid.gov to monitor your qualifying payment count.

If you’re a Kaiser nurse applying for PSLF for the first time, you may still be able to get retroactive credit for eligible employment going all the way back to 2007.

This includes full-time work for qualifying nonprofit or government employers, even if you’ve switched jobs during that time.

Here’s how you can claim retroactive credit:

1. One-Time Account Adjustment

The One-Time Account Adjustment is the most comprehensive way to get retroactive credit. It automatically applies qualifying periods for:

• Time spent in repayment before consolidating any loans into Direct Loans.

• Periods of forbearance or deferment, as long as your loans are federally held by the U.S. Department of Education.

This adjustment is automatic for eligible borrowers and can fill significant gaps in your PSLF timeline.

2. Buyback Program

If some periods of forbearance or deferment aren’t included in the adjustment, the Buyback Program allows you to retroactively buy credit for those times. This option becomes available after you’ve made 120 qualifying payments.

The cost is based on what your monthly payment would have been during those periods.

3. Temporary Expanded PSLF

Borrowers who made payments under non-qualifying repayment plans—like extended or graduated plans—may still qualify through TEPSLF. This program doesn’t provide credit for forbearance, deferment, or pre-consolidation periods, but it can help fill in gaps for those who didn’t meet strict PSLF criteria under earlier rules.

How to Maximize Retroactive Credit

Here’s how to prioritize these options:

1. Rely on the One-Time Account Adjustment first, as it covers the broadest range of repayment periods automatically.

2. Use the Buyback Program for any gaps not covered by the adjustment, especially time spent in forbearance or deferment.

3. Turn to TEPSLF for payments made under ineligible repayment plans.

Important Note: The Limited PSLF Waiver, which allowed retroactive credit for many non-qualifying payments, ended in 2022.

With Donald Trump’s election, many are questioning the future of PSLF. His administration has suggested changes to federal student loan programs in the past, but no immediate plans to eliminate PSLF have been announced.

For now, PSLF remains active, and recent expansions—such as the November 2022 final rule—are still in effect.

Here’s what you can do to stay informed:

1. Follow official updates on PSLF through StudentAid.gov.

2. Certify your employment annually to ensure your qualifying payments are tracked. Here’s a Guide on How to Certify Your Employment.

3. Seek professional advice if any changes are announced that might impact your eligibility.

Related: Trump and the Future of Student Loan Forgiveness

Unfortunately, loans from private lenders like Sallie Mae, SoFi, Navient, and others don’t qualify for PSLF. The same applies to federal loans refinanced with a private lender to secure a lower interest rate.

If you’re a Kaiser nurse struggling with private student loan debt, here are your best options for relief:

1. Refinance Again: Look for a lender offering even lower interest rates or longer repayment terms to reduce your monthly payment burden. Learn How to Refinance Your Student Loans.

2. Explore Settlement: If you’re unable to keep up with payments, some lenders may agree to settle your debt for less than the full balance. Learn How Private Student Loan Debt Settlement Works.

3. Consider Bankruptcy: Discharging student loans in bankruptcy is challenging, but it’s worth exploring if other options have been exhausted. Learn How To Discharge Your Loans Through Bankruptcy.

Related: Can’t Pay Your Student Loans? Here’s What You Need to Do

Beyond the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, nurses at Kaiser Permanente have access to various loan repayment assistance and state-based forgiveness programs. These initiatives can significantly alleviate healthcare professionals’ student debt.

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (Nurse Corps LRP)

This federal program offers substantial loan repayment assistance to registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and nurse faculty.

In exchange for a two-year service commitment at a Critical Shortage Facility or an eligible school of nursing, participants can receive payments totaling 60% of their outstanding nursing education loans.

An optional third year can add an additional 25% repayment, bringing the total to 85% of qualifying loan balances.

Where to Apply: Nurse Corps LRP

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program

Licensed primary care clinicians, including nurse practitioners, may qualify for loan repayment assistance through the NHSC. This program offers up to $50,000 for a two-year, full-time service commitment in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Part-time service options are also available with prorated repayment amounts.

Where to Apply: NHSC LRP

State-Based Loan Forgiveness Programs

Many states offer loan forgiveness programs tailored for nurses. For instance, California’s State Loan Repayment Program provides up to $50,000 in loan assistance for a two-year full-time service commitment in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. Additional funds may be available for extended service.

Related: Loan Forgiveness for Nurses

For those wondering about Kaiser nurses and PSLF, the expanded eligibility rules and repayment programs offer meaningful pathways to student loan forgiveness.

Whether you’re just starting the PSLF process or seeking retroactive credit, options like the One-Time Account Adjustment, Buyback Program, and state-based forgiveness can help reduce your loan burden.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility or need assistance with the application process, booking a call with one of our student loan experts can provide clarity and guidance tailored to your situation.

Related reading:

• How California Student Loan Lawyers Help with Student Loan Forgiveness

• California Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

• Student Loan Forgiveness for Health Care Workers