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Teacher Loan Forgiveness Calculator
Teachers who complete 5 full, consecutive years at a qualifying low-income school can have part of their federal student loans forgiven — up to $17,500 for math, science, and special education teachers, or $5,000 for other teachers.
Example: A special-education teacher with 5 full years at a qualifying low-income school and a $20,000 balance qualifies for $17,500.00 in forgiveness — the $17,500 program cap, not the full balance.
What can change the math
- Years must be 5 FULL, CONSECUTIVE academic years teaching at a qualifying low-income school — partial years or gaps don't count toward eligibility.
- You can't use the same years of service for both Teacher Loan Forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — you must choose which program that service counts toward.
- Only Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans (and some FFEL loans) qualify — Parent PLUS and Grad PLUS loans are not eligible.
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Frequently asked questions
What subjects qualify for the $17,500 forgiveness amount?
Full-time secondary math or science teachers, and special education teachers at the elementary or secondary level, qualify for up to $17,500. Other full-time elementary or secondary teachers qualify for up to $5,000.
What counts as a 'low-income school'?
A school (or educational service agency) listed in the Department of Education's Teacher Cancellation Low Income (TCLI) Directory for the year or years of your qualifying service.
Can I get both Teacher Loan Forgiveness and PSLF?
Not for the same period of service — you must choose which program a given period of teaching counts toward, since the two programs can't double-count the same years.