Vet Tech Student Loan Forgiveness: How to Get It

Updated on November 12, 2024

Quick Facts

Public Service Loan Forgiveness offers veterinary technicians in nonprofit or public service roles the most reliable route toward loan forgiveness.
Many vet techs in military or public health positions qualify for PSLF, especially those who complete service commitments with the Army or other public sector roles.
Consolidating older loans can still help you gain retroactive credit toward forgiveness, even after the one-time adjustment period has ended.

Overview

Vet techs, or veterinary technicians as they’re formally known, typically start their careers under the weight of considerable student loan debt. It’s a tough financial burden that can feel overwhelming at times.

Fortunately, two practical solutions are available to help ease the financial strain:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans

For vet techs in qualifying nonprofit or government roles, including the military, PSLF provides faster loan forgiveness. Alternatively, choosing IDR plans can reduce monthly payments and offer forgiveness after 20 or 25 years.

If you’re looking for the right program, we’ll simplify the process and help you find the relief you deserve—stress-free. Whether you’re just starting out, transitioning from military service, or growing your private practice, there’s a way forward.

Related

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program can eliminate your veterinary school loans after 10 years of service.

To be eligible, you need to:

Have Direct Loans (FFEL and Perkins loans can qualify if consolidated)
Work full-time (at least 30 hours per week) for a nonprofit clinic or government agency
Make 120 monthly payments under an Income-Driven Repayment plan

This eligibility covers positions in the military, public health sectors, and numerous animal shelters.

To confirm your employer’s eligibility, visit the PSLF Help Tool on StudentAid.gov. You can also refer to our PSLF Employers List for further guidance.

Related: How to Consolidate FFELP Loan

IDR Forgiveness

If you work in private practice, you can still get your veterinary school loans forgiven—it just takes longer than PSLF. Under IDR Plans, forgiveness comes after 20 to 25 years of payments, not 10.

IDR plans adjust your monthly payments based on your income and family size. This means your payments are based on your financial situation rather than your loan balance.

Available plans include Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), the SAVE Plan (formerly REPAYE), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR).

IDR forgiveness is your best option if:

You’re in private practice or run your own clinic.
You’ve had federal student loans for nearly two decades.
You’re making IDR payments, but the balance isn’t shrinking.

Retroactive Forgiveness Credit Is Still Possible

The one-time account adjustment for federal student loan payments, which provided temporary relief and flexibility to borrowers, officially ended on September 30, 2024. But a new rule has been introduced that offers the opportunity to receive retroactive credit through loan consolidation.

This means that if you consolidate your federal student loans now, you may be able to count the months you spent in forbearance or deferment during the adjustment period toward your repayment term and eligibility for forgiveness programs.

Here’s What to Do Next

Check Your Loan Status: If you have older FFEL loans from loan servicers like Sloan, AES, or Navient (now with MOHELA), consolidation might help.
Consolidate into a Direct Loan: This qualifies you for IDR and allows past payments to count.
Gain Weighted Credit: Consolidation credits previous payments, helping you progress toward forgiveness.

Other Forgiveness and Repayment Options

Total and Permanent Disability Discharge: If you become permanently disabled, you can have your federal loans discharged. You’ll need documentation from a physician, the VA, or Social Security Administration. Learn more in our TPD Discharge Guide.
Borrower Defense to Repayment: If your veterinary school closed while you were enrolled or misled you about job placement rates, program costs, or transfer credits, you may qualify for discharge. You’ll need to provide evidence of the school’s misconduct. Learn more in our Borrower Defense to Repayment Guide.
Hardship-Based Forgiveness: A new program is under development that would offer relief to borrowers facing severe financial challenges. Details are pending legal approval.
State-Based Loan Repayment Programs: Some states offer limited loan repayment assistance, often for high-need professions like veterinary work. Check local options or read our guide on State Programs for Student Loan Forgiveness.

You can find more details about the programs and applications when you visit the Federal Student Aid’s Student Loan Forgiveness programs.

Eligibility Criteria for Veterinary Technicians

Before pursuing loan forgiveness, check if you meet the basic requirements for each program. Some require specific career commitments, while others are open to all veterinary technicians with federal loans.

Program

Eligibility Requirements

1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Must work full-time (30+ hours) at a nonprofit or government agency, have Direct Loans (FFEL or Perkins loans require consolidation), and make 120 qualifying payments under an IDR plan.

2. Income-Driven Repayment Forgiveness

Requires payments based on income and family size for 20-25 years; consolidation is needed if loans are not already Direct Loans.

3. Total and Permanent Disability Discharge

Must have a permanent disability certified by a physician, the VA, or the SSA.

4. Borrower Defense to Repayment

Must provide evidence of school misconduct, such as misleading job placement rates or costs, or school closure or misrepresentation during enrollment.

Related

FAQs

Are there any specific student loan forgiveness programs for vet techs?

Vet techs can access general student loan forgiveness programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income-Driven Repayment forgiveness if they meet specific criteria. Some state-specific student loan repayment programs may also offer relief, especially for those working in high-need or rural areas.

What options do vet techs have if they can’t qualify for standard loan forgiveness programs?

Vet techs who don’t qualify for standard forgiveness programs can explore options like refinancing their loans for better interest rates, state-based repayment assistance, or employer-sponsored repayment benefits. Additionally, budgeting strategies or applying for hardship deferments might help manage student debt more effectively. Related: How to Refinance Student Loans

Are private student loans eligible for forgiveness for vet techs?

No, private student loans are not eligible for federal student loan forgiveness programs for vet techs. Some private lenders might offer repayment assistance or specific relief options, such as for permanent disability, but these are not the same as federal loan forgiveness programs.

Bottom Line

Federal student loan forgiveness for vet techs offers several options. PSLF provides the quickest relief for those in public service, and IDR plans are flexible and fit any career path. There are also special programs for vets working in rural or underserved areas.

We’ve helped many veterinarians manage their student loan payments through refinancing, showing them how to pay off their loans and even getting some debt forgiven.

If you need clarity on what’s best for you, our student loan experts are here to help you create a clear strategy. Schedule a consultation today to get started.

Related reading: