The Basics of Student Loan Forgiveness

A Guide to Cancellations and Tax Implications

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One of the greatest opportunities for college graduates stressed out about debt is student loan forgiveness or loan repayment programs. These programs offer to eliminate some or all of your student loans in return for choosing certain careers, military service, and even volunteer work.

Such programs can eliminate anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over $100,000 of student loans. Ironically, many of these programs receive a relatively small number of applications, indicating that many graduates are completely unaware of these opportunities.

Note

On Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, the Biden administration extended the pause on payments and interest on federal student loans for the eighth time. Borrowers with federal student loans won’t have to make payments, and loans won’t resume accumulating interest until 60 days after court cases challenging Biden’s student loan forgiveness program are resolved or the Department of Education is allowed to move forward with the program. If the cases aren’t resolved by June 30, 2023, payments will resume two months after that.

Loan Forgiveness 

Student loan forgiveness programs are those backed by the federal government and cover loans issued through federal programs such as Stafford and Perkins loans. When you participate in one of these programs, portions of your debt are erased from your lender’s books.

Note

On Aug. 24, 2022, President Joe Biden announced via Twitter the cancellation of $10,000 of federal student loan debt for eligible borrowers, and $20,000 for federal Pell Grant recipients. The administration also proposed a new plan for federal student loan repayment for undergraduate loans. The plan would cap monthly payments at 5% of your monthly income. After 10 years, whatever remaining balance you have would be eliminated if the original loan balance was $12,000 or less.

Loan Repayment

Student loan repayment programs, which are more widespread than forgiveness programs, are offered as employee recruitment or retention incentives from select employers. These programs may be used to eliminate any type of loan, including private loans. With student loan repayment, you either receive additional funds that you can use to pay down your loan, or a payment is made directly to your lender by your employer.

Taxability

In March 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act, which includes a provision eliminating taxes on student loan forgiveness until the end of 2025.

Prior to the American Rescue Plan Act, the amount eliminated under loan forgiveness or repayment programs may be considered taxable income in the year received. In other words, if you have $5,000 in loans forgiven one year, that may increase your taxable income in the eyes of the IRS by an equivalent amount. While that is never fun, it should not discourage you from using one of these programs, since the benefit far outweighs the cost.

After 2025, to prevent your student loan forgiveness or employer repayments from becoming subject to taxation, your student loan must specifically include provisions allowing it to be forgiven. These provisions must require you to work within certain professions, for certain employers, for a specified minimum amount of time.

Additionally, any loan repayments made under the National Health Services Corps Repayment Program or any state program eligible for funds from the Public Health Services Act are considered tax-free.

Different Student Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs

There are hundreds of loan forgiveness programs available to graduates. Many times, professional associations within different industries will maintain a list of student loan repayment and forgiveness programs that apply to their profession.

Examples of some places to start researching the possibility of getting your student loans canceled or repaid (by profession) include the following.

For Teachers

The American Federation of Teachers has a funding database to find funds for your continuing education, professional development, and classroom. Search also for loan forgiveness programs, teacher grants and awards, classroom donation programs, and summer studies and exchange programs.

For Medical, Nursing, and Mental Health Professionals

With the typical medical school student entering the workforce with an average of $200,000 in student debt, The Association of Medical Colleges gives repayment options and loan forgiveness for medical professionals.

For Lawyers and Legal Professionals

Most lawyers graduate from law school shouldering a $150,000 debt burden on average. The American Bar Association and Equal Justice Works offers strategies for loan repayment and loan forgiveness on the state and federal level. 

For Public Service and Volunteer Work

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, created by an act of Congress in 2007, remains one of the best federal student loan forgiveness programs in existence. The program offers complete federal forgiveness benefits in return for qualifying public service work, meaning that it allows you to wipe out your outstanding federal loans in exchange for working in a public service field, like teaching, nursing, or government positions.

You can volunteer over the summer or for a period of time, in the U.S. or abroad, for organizations like AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps.

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Sources
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  1. Department of Education. “Biden-Harris Administration Continues Fight for Student Debt Relief for Millions of Borrowers, Extends Student Loan Repayment Pause.”

  2. Federal Student Aid. "Student Loan Forgiveness."

  3. Twitter. “@POTUS, Aug. 24, 2022 at 11:32 a.m.

  4. Department of Education. “Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Student Loan Pause Extension Through December 31 and Targeted Debt Cancellation To Smooth Transition to Repayment.”

  5. Congress.gov. "The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," Page 182.

  6. Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 431 Canceled Debt – Is It Taxable or Not?"

  7. Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute. "42 U.S. Code § 254l–1 - National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program."

  8. Association of American Medical Colleges. "Medical School Graduation Questionnaire, 2019 All Schools Summary Report," Page 5.

  9. Federal Student Aid. "Public Service Loan Forgiveness Data."

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