Is It Too Late for Student Loan Forgiveness?

• Student loan forgiveness is still available in 2025, but only if you qualify. PSLF, IDR forgiveness, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, and Borrower Defense are still active.

• The SAVE plan is blocked, but other IDR plans still count. If you’re on IBR, ICR, or PAYE, your payments still qualify.

• Forgiveness programs could change fast with the new administration. If you wait for too long, policies could change, and you could lose your chance.

It’s not too late to get student loans forgiven in 2025. Most federal forgiveness programs don’t have strict deadlines, but you still need to meet certain qualifications before applying.

Even though broad student loan forgiveness has been blocked, there are still ways to have your student loan debt reduced or erased. Programs exist to help borrowers who work in public service, have been making payments for many years, or attended schools that closed before they could finish their degree.

But sorting through these programs can be tricky, especially with the rules constantly changing. The legal battles haven’t made things any easier, either. If you’ve been feeling stuck or unsure about your options, don’t give up—there’s still time to take action.

Ahead, we’ll break down who qualifies, how to apply, and what’s different in 2025 so you can take the right steps while forgiveness is still on the table.

Student loan forgiveness eligibility varies depending on the specific program. Some of the most notable forgiveness programs include:

• One-time account adjustment

• PSLF

• SAVE Plan forgiveness

• IDR forgiveness

Whether you’ve been repaying your loans for years or are a recent graduate, understanding the eligibility requirements for each program is important.
Review the table below and see which programs align with your situation.

Applying for student loan forgiveness this 2025 might not be as easy as it was last year, but it’s still possible. If you’re unsure how to apply for student loan forgiveness, these quick overviews should help you get started.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

PSLF wipes out your remaining federal loan balance after you’ve made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a government organization or qualifying nonprofit. You need to be in an IDR plan for your payments to count.

Check if your employer qualifies. If it checks out, be consistent with your payment. Once you hit all 120 qualifying payments, you can apply for forgiveness.

Related: Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Income-Driven Repayment Plan Forgiveness

IDR plans adjust your monthly payments based on your income and family size. After 20 or 25 years (depending on the plan), your remaining balance is forgiven.

As of January 2025, the SAVE Plan is blocked due to ongoing litigation. Right now, ICR, IBR, and PAYE are still eligible for forgiveness. If you’re on SAVE, keep an eye on student forgiveness lawsuit updates.

Related: Income-Driven Repayment for Student Loans

Teacher Loan Forgiveness

Teachers working in low-income schools can qualify for up to $17,500 in student loan forgiveness after five consecutive years of full-time teaching. Here’s how you can apply:

1. Complete your five years of teaching: You must work at a low-income school or educational service agency.

2. Fill out the application: Download the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application form from StudentAid.gov.

3. Get it certified and submit: Have your school’s chief administrator certify your service, then send the form to your loan servicer.

Related: Teacher Loan Forgiveness

Closed School Discharge

If your school shut down while you were enrolled (or soon after you left), you may not have to repay your federal student loans. The Department of Education (ED) is still processing closed school discharge applications under older rules due to legal challenges. Here’s an overview of the process:

1. Request the application: Call your loan servicer and ask for the Closed School Discharge form.

2. Fill it out and submit it: Provide all required information and send it back to your servicer.

3. Keep making payments until approved: Don’t stop paying your loans until you get official confirmation of your discharge.

State-Sponsored Loan Forgiveness Programs

Some states offer loan forgiveness for teachers, healthcare workers, lawyers, and other professionals working in high-need areas. Here are a few key programs:

• New York Forgiveness Programs: Offers multiple programs, including the Get On Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program for recent graduates and the Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness Program.

• Texas Forgiveness Programs: Teachers can apply for the Teach for Texas Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program, while lawyers may qualify for the Access to Justice Loan Repayment Program.

• California Forgiveness Programs: The California State Loan Repayment Program provides up to $50,000 for healthcare workers in underserved areas.

• Florida Forgiveness Programs: Offers forgiveness programs for nurses, teachers, and public defenders, including the Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program and the John R. Justice Repayment Program.

• Maine Forgiveness Programs: Programs like the Maine Dental Education Loan Repayment Program and the Educators for Maine Loan Program help professionals reduce or cancel student debt.

Here’s how you can qualify for your state’s program:

1. Find your state’s programs: Visit your state’s higher education agency or the ED website for eligibility details.

2. Gather required documents: This typically includes proof of employment, loan details, and certifications.

3. Submit your application: Follow your state’s guidelines and meet any deadlines.

State programs change frequently, so check official sources for the most up-to-date information.

Related: State Programs For Student Loan Forgiveness

Biden-Harris Administration’s Final Forgiveness Actions

The Biden administration ended its term with one last round of student loan forgiveness. On January 16, 2025, the ED approved $600 million in relief for 8,650 borrowers.

Of those, 4,550 borrowers received forgiveness under the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan, while another 4,100 had their loans canceled through borrower defense.

That final action brought the total debt relief under Biden to $188.8 billion, wiping out loans for 5.3 million borrowers across 33 executive orders.

One-Time IDR Account Adjustment

As of January 2025, the ED also largely completed the IDR payment count adjustment, a major initiative to fix years of mismanagement in IDR plans. This cleared $57.1 billion in student debt for 1.45 million borrowers, an average of $39,380 per person.

Alongside the adjustment, StudentAid.gov now includes a new IDR progress tracker. This tool makes it easier for borrowers to see how close they are to forgiveness.

Related: When Will IDR Adjustments Be Made?

SAVE Plan Blocked in Court

As of January 2025, the SAVE plan is stuck in legal limbo, blocked by a federal court order. Right now, 8 million borrowers enrolled in the program are in SAVE forbearance.

The good news: borrowers don’t have to pay anything, and no interest will accrue until the case reaches its conclusion. The bad news: this forbearance won’t count toward PSLF forgiveness. The pause is expected to extend until December 2025.

The case is sitting with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, but there’s no set timeline for a decision. Until then, SAVE borrowers should keep an eye on StudentAid.gov for updates.

Related: When Is Forbearance Over?

Automatic Loan Forgiveness Expands

The ED has continued automatic loan forgiveness for eligible borrowers. This includes discharges for those whose schools engaged in misconduct, borrowers with total and permanent disabilities, and public service workers who qualify under PSLF.

Using data matches with other federal agencies, ED has made these approvals automatic, so no application is needed. If you qualify, you’ll be notified directly.

If you believe you qualify but haven’t been notified, check your eligibility by logging into your account on StudentAid.gov or contacting your loan servicer. Automatic forgiveness is based on data matches, but errors can occur, so it’s important to verify your status.

Hardship Forgiveness Plan Scrapped

In December 2024, the ED abandoned its plan to create student loan forgiveness based on financial hardship. Officials cited a lack of time left in Biden’s term and uncertainty over how the program would actually work.

For now, borrowers struggling with payments will have to rely on existing options like IDR, forbearance, and deferment.

The scrapped Hardship Forgiveness Plan would have provided relief for borrowers facing financial challenges like medical debt, caregiving costs, or natural disaster losses. Borrowers struggling now can explore IDR plans or temporary forbearance options through StudentAid.gov. While this plan is no longer moving forward, future administrations may revisit similar proposals.

What’s Next for Student Loan Forgiveness?

The Biden administration’s last loan forgiveness actions were announced on January 16, 2025, just days before leaving office.

With the Trump administration returning, broad loan forgiveness is unlikely to be a priority. Changes to existing programs could be on the horizon, but no official policies have been announced yet.

If you have student loans, pay attention to updates. Check StudentAid.gov regularly, review your repayment plan, and be ready to adjust if policies shift.

Related: What Happens to Student Loans if Trump Wins?

As of January 2025, some borrowers are still excluded from federal student loan forgiveness programs. If you fall into one of these groups, you may need to explore other repayment or discharge options.

Private Student Loan Borrowers

If you have private student loans, you’re out of luck when it comes to federal forgiveness programs. Since these loans aren’t held by the government, they don’t qualify for any federal relief initiatives. Some private lenders offer their own forgiveness or repayment assistance programs, but options are limited.

Related: Private Student Loan Forgiveness Options

Certain Federal Loan Types

Not all federal student aid loans automatically qualify for forgiveness. Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) held by commercial lenders, Perkins Loans held by schools, and HEAL Program loans aren’t eligible for PSLF or IDR forgiveness unless they’re consolidated into a Direct Loan. If you have one of these loans, check if consolidation makes sense before applying for forgiveness.

High-Income Earners

Some programs limit eligibility based on income. The now-defunct broad forgiveness plan capped eligibility at $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for households. While most current forgiveness programs don’t have income limits, future initiatives could bring them back.

Related: PSLF Income Limits

Borrowers Who Don’t Meet Program Requirements

Every forgiveness program has strict eligibility rules. PSLF requires 120 qualifying payments while working for an eligible employer. Teacher Loan Forgiveness demands five consecutive years of full-time teaching in a low-income school. IDR forgiveness only kicks in after 20 or 25 years of payments. If you don’t meet the specific criteria for a program, you won’t qualify.

Borrowers in Default

Defaulting on federal loans can cut you off from most forgiveness programs. The Fresh Start initiative, which helped many defaulted borrowers regain eligibility, ended in September 2024. If you are late to the scene, you may still be locked out of PSLF, IDR forgiveness, and other relief options. If you’re in default, getting out of it should be your first priority.

Related: Can You Get Student Loan Forgiveness If You Are in Default?

Check your loan details and status on StudentAid.gov. If you’re applying for PSLF, use the PSLF Help Tool to confirm your employer qualifies. Your loan servicer can also tell you where you stand.

Eligibility depends on four key factors: your loan type, repayment plan, employment (for PSLF and Teacher Loan Forgiveness), and qualifying student loan payments.

Forgiveness rules can change. Check StudentAid.gov regularly and stay in contact with your loan servicer for the latest updates.

Student loan forgiveness is still on the table in 2025, but it’s not automatic. You need to know your options and act fast before any drastic changes happen.

Broad cancellation is off the table, but PSLF, IDR forgiveness, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, and Borrower Defense are still active. If you qualify, you can still get relief and potentially have your federal direct loans forgiven.

But these programs have strict requirements, and missing a step could cost you. Understanding the rules and acting fast is the only way to make sure you don’t leave money on the table.

Forgiveness programs could tighten, new restrictions could roll in, and opportunities that exist today might not be around tomorrow. If you’re eligible for federal direct loan forgiveness, now is the time to act.

Talk to our student loan lawyer for a consultation. Get clear on your options, avoid costly mistakes, and lock in the best path forward before the rules change again.

Related reading:

• Who Is Eligible For Student Loan Forgiveness?

• Is It Too Late to Address a Student Loan Defaulted 20 Years Ago?

• Student Loan Forgiveness After 25 Years

• Did Student Loan Forgiveness Pass?