To improve the public service loan forgiveness program under section 455(m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, to improve loan forgiveness eligibility provisions under such Act for teachers, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · April 5, 2024
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
This bill would overhaul the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to make it significantly easier for public servants to receive federal student loan forgiveness. Currently, borrowers must work full-time in public service for ten years while making 120 monthly payments under specific repayment plans, but the program has a 99 percent denial rate due to complicated eligibility rules and servicer errors. The bill expands which payments and employment periods count toward forgiveness, including periods of forbearance and deferment, AmeriCorps and Peace Corps service, and employment during grace periods. It also broadens the definition of qualifying public service to include more school-based workers, military family services, and emergency management roles, and allows parent borrowers and consolidation loan holders greater flexibility in meeting requirements. The legislation is designed to address widespread harm caused by loan servicers steering public servants away from the program and providing inaccurate information, which has prevented millions from buying homes, starting businesses, or retiring.
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