My husband has a large student loan with William Ford Federal and I don’t have any. He is a new teacher in an inner city school and I have taught for seventeen years so he makes half of what I make. He is on the extended repayment plan which he recently found out doesn’t qualify for the public loan forgiveness. Unfortunately he has already been teaching five years.  Anyway, I don’t think we qualify for IBR since we make too much money combined and file taxes jointly. Is it possible to apply for IBR next year after filing taxes separately and will he be approved by not counting my income? Is it allowed? Thanks for your website.

Welcome!  Borrowers can apply for IBR anytime and yes, you may choose whether to file your taxes jointly or separately each tax year.  Perhaps consider preparing your taxes in January and filling out the IBR repayment plan selection form immediately following.

Thanks for your service and your husband’s service!  Please tell other teachers.  I worry that not enough have information about Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Yours,
Heather