Hi Heather,

I’ve been repaying my loans for 4 years already, and I was working in the private sector.  I recently changed to employment with the state.  Does my initial job out of law school disqualify me from the program, or can I still qualify?  I still have a significant amount of loan balance to go.

Also, if I might still qualify, where would I get details about this program?

Derek

Hello Derek.  Thank you for your question and for your public service!  My name is James and I am Heather’s Communications Director (and husband).  Public Service Loan Forgiveness is earned by making payments.  A borrower has to make the right kind of payments, on the right kind of loans, while working in the right kind of job.  For more about that, start by reading through Public Service Loan Forgiveness in 5 Easy Steps and the other one-pagers on our tools page under Essential Tools for Student Loan Borrowers: http://askheatherjarvis.com/tools.

There is also a newly available Employment Certification process for you to consider: http://askheatherjarvis.com/blog/3-new-documents-everyone-in-government-and-nonprofit-services-needs-right-n.

The payments that you made while employed in the private sector will not count toward PSLF.  However, assuming that your present position qualifies for PSLF, you can begin the program.  To qualify for PSLF, you have to make 120 of the right kind of payments, on the right kinds of loans, while working in the right kind of job.  They do not have to be consecutive qualifying payments (see Q15 of this link: http://studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/public-service-loan-forgiveness-common-questions.pdf).

If you have other questions, please post them here.

Best,

James Jarvis
Communications Director
Heather Jarvis, Student Loan Expert LLC