Critical Shortage Loan Forgiveness and Deferment

Annually, the Michigan Department of Education submits a list of critical shortage areas to the U.S. Department of Education’s (USED) Office of Postsecondary Education for the purpose of student loan forgiveness and/or deferment.

The USED requires MDE to provide a yearly list of discipline areas for which new teachers or teachers with student loans can obtain loan forgiveness or deferment. These would include:

• Family Federal Education Loan Program (FFEL);
• Federal Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS) programs (34 CFR 682.210(q));
• Federal Perkins Loan Program (34 CFR 674.53(c)); and
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program (34 CFR 686).

Eligibility for loan forgiveness or deferment is also dependent on working in the schools that have been identified with the highest need. More information on eligible schools can be found using the following directories:

• https://studentaid.gov/#low-income-school-service-agency
• https://studentaid.gov/app/tcliDirectorySearch.action

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.