State of Texas Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

Updated on December 20, 2024

Quick Facts

Texas offers loan forgiveness programs for doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, and other professionals.
If you work in public service, you can qualify for PSLF after 120 payments under a qualifying repayment plan.
Texas residents can apply for IDR forgiveness to lower payments based on income, keeping loans manageable while working toward eventual forgiveness.

Overview

Texas offers many ways to reduce or forgive student loans. If you’re looking for help, here are some programs to consider.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Forgives remaining federal loans after 120 payments for government or nonprofit employees.
Teach for Texas Loan Repayment Assistance Program: Provides up to $2,500 annually for teachers in high-need subjects or regions.
Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Assistance Program: Grants up to $7,000 for nurses teaching at Texas universities.

Whether you’re looking to erase a portion of your debt or make payments more manageable, Texas has programs to help. Check out the details below to find the right option for your career and financial situation.

Related

Does Texas Offer Student Loan Forgiveness Programs?

Yes, Texas has several programs, like the Teach for Texas Loan Repayment Assistance Program and the Access to Justice Loan Repayment Program.

There are also options for specific professions, including dentists, nurses, and mental health professionals.

In addition to state programs, you can apply for federal forgiveness through the Department of Education. Popular options include PSLF and IDR forgiveness. If your situation fits, you can also explore Total and Permanent Disability discharge or the Borrower Defense program.

6 Student Loan Forgiveness Programs in Texas

1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

If you live in Texas and work in public service—working for the government or a non-profit organization—the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program can help you eliminate your remaining balance of student loans.

Who is it for? Texans working full-time in public service with federal student loans. You should have a Direct Loan, but if you have Stafford or Parent PLUS Loans, you must first consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan to qualify.
Eligibility: You must work for a government or non-profit employer, be enrolled in a qualifying repayment plan like an Income-Driven Repayment plan, and make 120 qualifying payments—roughly 10 years. Once you meet the requirements, your remaining loan balance is forgiven.

You can use the PSLF Employer Search Tool on the Federal Student Aid website to check if your Texas-based employer qualifies.

Related: How to Apply for PSLF

2. IDR Forgiveness

If you’re struggling to manage your monthly student loan payments, Income-Driven Repayment plans may help. After 20 or 25 years of consistent payments (depending on the specific IDR plan), any remaining loan balance is forgiven.

Who is it for? Texans looking for a repayment plan that aligns with their income and household size.
Eligibility: Enroll in one of the IDR plans, such as the SAVE Plan, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Income-Based Repayment (IBR), or Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR). You must stay on the plan and make payments for the full repayment term.

I always advise my clients from Texas who are public service workers to choose PSLF because it’s faster (only 10 years of payments), but if they want their monthly payments to be based on their income, they can also choose the IDR forgiveness.

We can help you determine which program is best for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

3. Loan Discharge Due to Disability

The U.S. Department of Education introduced the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge program to help Texas residents erase their student loans if they prove they can no longer render work.

Who is it for? Texans with total and permanent disabilities who cannot earn an income. See this list of disabilities to know your eligibility for the program.
Eligibility: You must provide official proof of your disability, such as a doctor’s certification, a disability determination from the Social Security Administration (SSA), or a 100% disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Once approved, your remaining loan balance will be forgiven. To start, you can contact your loan servicer or learn more from studentaid.gov about the application process and other required documentation.

You can also read our guide on how to apply for this program to make things easier for you.

4. Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

If you’re a teacher in Texas working at a low-income school, the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program could help you reduce your student loan debt.

Who is it for? Teachers working full-time at qualifying low-income schools or nonprofit private schools in Texas.
Eligibility: Work full-time for five consecutive years at a qualifying low-income school or educational service agency.

Check out this comprehensive guide we made on how to apply for this program.

5. Borrower Defense to Repayment

If you attended a school in Texas that misled you or engaged in fraudulent practices—like false advertising or deceptive recruitment—you may qualify for loan discharge through the Borrower Defense to Repayment program.

Who is it for? Texans who took out loans to attend schools that violated rules or provided misleading information about job placement rates, costs, or program quality.
Eligibility: You’ll need to provide evidence that your school’s misconduct directly influenced your decision to enroll or take out federal loans. Learn more about this program.

To see if your school is eligible, check this [list of institutions involved in borrower defense claims]. If you believe you are a victim, contact your student loan lawyer for help.

6. Perkins Loan Cancellation

If you have old Perkins Loans and work in a specific profession, you may qualify for loan cancellation based on your service.

Best For: Teachers, nurses, law enforcement officers, and other professionals serving in qualifying high-need areas or roles.
Eligibility Requirements: Must work in an eligible profession, such as teaching in a low-income school, providing nursing care, or serving as a law enforcement officer.

The amount forgiven varies based on your profession, with a specific percentage of your loan being canceled for each year of qualifying service (usually up to 5 years). This applies only to Texans borrowers with Perkins loans disbursed before September 30, 2017.

There are six national forgiveness programs available to Texas residents. Most of these programs depends highly on your situation, employer, and the repayment options you are using. If you are ready to apply, we can guide you on the process.

Other Forgiveness and Loan Repayment Assistance Programs

If you want more choices, these loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) can provide additional debt relief towards your student loans. Here’s the breakdown of each option:

Physician Education Loan Repayment Program

If you’re a primary care doctor working in a Health Professional Shortage Area, this program can give you up to $180,000 in loan forgiveness over four years.

Eligibility: Working in specialties like family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, psychiatry, or geriatrics serving communities with healthcare shortages.
To Apply: Applications are available on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website.

Be aware that the loan forgiveness amounts depend on your total loan balance and the time you spend serving in an HPSA. You can also read our guide on the Best Medical Student Loan Forgiveness Programs Available For You.

Mental Health Professionals LRAP

If you work in mental health, this program offers loan repayment assistance to professionals providing services in underserved areas. Grants are given over five years and range from $10,000 to $160,000, depending on your role.

Eligibility: Professionals include psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, social workers, and chemical dependency counselors. Your services must support patients in Texas medical assistance programs.
To Apply: Applications and more details are available on the THECB website

You may read this guide we have about Student Loan Forgiveness for Mental Health Professionals to give you clarity on which programs is perfect for you.

Nursing Faculty LRAP

If you’re a nurse teaching full-time in a Texas university, this program offers up to $7,000 in loan forgiveness over five years.

Eligibility: You need to have a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing, a valid Texas nursing license, and at least one year of teaching experience.
To Apply: Applications are available through the THECB website.

St. David’s Foundation Public Health Corps Loan Repayment Program

Supports primary care and behavioral health providers working at nonprofit clinics or health centers in Texas. Loan repayment awards range from $15,000 to $30,000 per year, spread over four years.

Eligibility: You must provide 12 consecutive months of service at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or a St. David’s Foundation grant partner site.
To Apply: Awards depend on continued funding, so check the St. David’s Foundation website for the latest updates and application details.

Teach for Texas Loan Repayment Assistance Program

The Teach for Texas Loan Repayment Assistance Program helps teachers by offering up to $2,500 each year, with a total of $12,500 available for 5 years.

Eligibility: You need to be a certified, full-time teacher working in a subject area or region experiencing a teacher shortage.
To Apply: Visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) website.

Once you’re approved the first year, you’ll get priority when renewing for future years on this program. Check out our guide on Teacher Loan Forgiveness – Public Service & Title I Programs for more insights.

Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program

Texas created this program to bring more math and science teachers into public schools. If you teach STEM subjects, you could get up to $10,000 each year for eight years, depending on available funding.

Eligibility: You need to have graduated with a degree in math or science and earned at least a 3.0 GPA. You also need to work full-time in a Texas Title I public school for at least four of those eight years.
To Apply: Applications are also available on the THECB website.

Keep in mind you can’t combine this program with any other state or federal loan repayment assistance.

Texas Access to Justice Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Helps Texas lawyers who provide legal aid to low-income clients.

Eligibility: An attorney earning a low salary—typically $50,000 or less—and are recognized by the Texas State Bar
To Apply: Visit the Texas Access to Justice Foundation website for application details and deadlines.

The applications on this program are reviewed quarterly, and funding goes to attorneys working with approved legal aid organizations.

Border County Doctoral Faculty Education Loan Repayment Program

If you’re teaching full-time at a university along the Texas-Mexico border, this program could help you reduce your student loans. You can receive up to $5,000 per year for a total of $50,000 over ten years.

Eligibility: You must have earned a doctoral degree after September 1, 1994, and work at an eligible Texas institutions.

Currently, the program is suspended due to funding shortages, but you can check for updates on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website.

Dental Education Loan Repayment Program

Texas offers loan repayment assistance to dentists working in areas with a shortage of dental care providers. You can receive up to $10,000 per year in loan forgiveness.

Eligibility: Licensed dentist in Texas and provide 12 months of service.

The program is not active right now due to no state funds being provided. It’s worth checking the website occasionally for updates.

If you’re unsure which repayment assistance or forgiveness program to apply for, these 5 Student Loan Debt Attorneys from Houston are highly recommended to guide you through your options and assist with the application process.

Texas Student Loan Forgiveness FAQs

Are there loan forgiveness programs in Texas for borrowers who don’t work in public service or healthcare?

Yes, there are programs for other professions in Texas, like teachers, lawyers, and STEM educators. Options such as the Teach for Texas Loan Repayment Assistance Program are available if you work in high-demand areas. Make sure to check if your job fits the program requirements.

What options are available for Texas educators who don’t teach at low-income schools?

If you’re a teacher outside low-income schools, you might qualify for programs like the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program. These programs often focus on high-demand subjects like STEM and may have requirements for working in specific regions or roles.

Can Texas residents use state forgiveness programs in combination with PSLF or IDR forgiveness?

Yes, you can combine state programs with PSLF or IDR forgiveness. State programs focus on specific jobs or locations, while PSLF and IDR cover broader employment. Just make sure the requirements for each program don’t overlap or create conflicts.

How long does it take to receive forgiveness after applying for Texas-based programs?

It usually takes a few months to a year to process forgiveness. The exact time depends on how quickly you meet the service requirements, complete your paperwork, and the program’s funding. Submitting everything on time and staying in touch with the program administrators helps.

Bottom Line

If you’re living in Texas and managing student loans, there are forgiveness programs designed for your profession. Teachers, healthcare workers, attorneys, and public service employees can explore options to reduce their debt.

Many Texans, from Austin to Houston, have found relief with our guidance, and we’re here to help you, too.

Schedule a consultation today, and we’ll develop a plan that meets your needs.

Related reading: