If you only have one employer, you must meet your employer’s definition of full-time. However, for
PSLF purposes, that definition must be at least an annual average of 30 hours per week.

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Help! So I submitted about 3 years worth of employment verification with one employer where I average about 37-38 hours/week per year. I’m technically classified as “part-time” but work roughly 40 hours a week anyway.

Based on my exact reading of the regulations, I don’t count for PSLF, because my employer’s definition of full-time is 40 hours/week. Even if I did work 40 hours a week…I’m still classified as “part-time” in their system (because I’m only guaranteed 24 hours/week, go figure).

So, does this mean…if I get another part-time job and hypothetically work 1 hour a week, I then qualify for PSLF under the 30 hour “2 part-time jobs” rule?

I’m confused.  Did your employer sign off on an employment certification indicating that you are full-time?

They signed off “part-time - 38 hours/week” as their local definition of “full-time” is strict 40 hours/week.

I reread the DOE link you posted and an employer guide you helped craft, and the local definition matters as full time is not defined by FLSA.

I’ve emailed my HR asking them to reconsider their strict definition and classify anyone over 30 hours as “full time.” I think I have a case with them, “full time” benefits start at 30 hours and the Affordable Care Act, while not applicable here, considers full time 30 hours. I think their strict definition is a bit of a relic.

Wish me luck. Any thoughts here?

Hi Heather,

What if you work two full-time jobs? One a regular for-profit job to help pay the bills and the other as an employee of your own 501c(3) doing what you’re really passionate about?

Oh I guess I should update - my employer just reclassed me as “full time” after learning about this conundrum. Yay.

And I’m curious about steves question—does this mean we can all form non-profits of our own and work for it >30 hours/week?