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Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs for Educators

Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs for Educators

The Michigan Department of Education does not administer the Public Service Loan Forgiveness or Teach programs. This collection of information is provided as a service to educators. To learn more about the programs, visit StudentAid.gov.

The Michigan Department of Education is pleased to administer a separate grant opportunity to support educators who are enrolled in PSLF in making their monthly student loan payments. To learn more about this program, visit the Student Loan Repayment Program webpage.

Loan Forgiveness and Deferment

The U.S. Department of Education (USED) requires MDE to provide a yearly list (due in December) of discipline areas for which there is a statewide shortage of teachers for open positions, which new teachers or teachers with student loans can use to obtain loan forgiveness or deferment.

The MDE does not manage loans or have additional information regarding forgiveness or deferment. 

Questions regarding loan forgiveness or deferment should be directed to U.S. Federal Student Aid.

Critical Shortage: Loan Forgiveness and Deferment Guidance

Two Federal Forgiveness Options

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

  • Unlike other programs, PSLF does not require you to teach at a low-income public school but only requires that you work for a qualifying employer. This includes government organizations at any level (U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal), not-for-profit organizations that are tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or other not-for-profit organizations that provide certain types of qualifying public services.
View PSLF program details

Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF)

The Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) Program forgives up to $17,500 of your Direct or FFEL Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans after 5 complete and consecutive years of teaching at a qualifying school.

View TLF program details.