Student Loan Forgiveness - Do You Qualify?

Did you know that there are numerous programs available that will actually pay off all or part of your college loans? Student loan forgiveness isn't a myth. Many of these programs aren't widely advertised and most people who are eligible don't even realize that they qualify to have thousands of dollars wiped off the balance of their educational loans.

Student Loan Forgiveness for Teachers

The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program will repay up to $17,500 toward college loans for qualified teachers. Full time teachers with an outstanding FFEL or Direct loan balance on or after October 1998 qualify for $5,000 worth of college loan repayment after 5 consecutive years of service.

Student loan forgiveness at the increased amount of $17,500 is available to qualified borrowers who teach full time in the field of mathematics or science at an eligible secondary school or who provide special education to students with disabilities.

To learn more or to apply for this student loan forgiveness program for teachers, visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/cancelperk.jsp?tab=repaying

Student Loan Forgiveness for Non-Profit Child or Family Services Agency Employees

In an effort to attract and retain more highly trained early childcare professionals, the federal government has developed programs to forgive up to 100% of the college loan balance for individuals at eligible centers.

To qualify for this student loan forgiveness program, borrowers must hold a degree in early childhood education and work full-time for 2 years at a qualified facility where at least 70% of the children receiving care come from families that earn less than 85% of the state median household income.

To learn more, call the Child Care Provider Loan Forgiveness support desk at 1-888-562-7002 or visit http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/childcareinfo.pdf

Student Loan Forgiveness for Law Enforcement Officials

Protect and serve the community and the government will do the same for your budget by repaying your college loans for you. Full time law enforcement or correction officers are eligible to have their loans paid off by the government at a rate of 15%per year for the first 2 years of service, 20% for the 3rd and 4th year, and 30% for their fifth year.

Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses and Medical Technicians

Several generous student loan forgiveness programs are available for physicians and RN's who practice in areas that lack adequate medical care.

The National Heath Services Corps will repay up to $35,000 per year of service for qualified individuals. To learn more and download application forms, visit http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/applications/lrp_ca.asp

The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP) repays up to 60% of your college loan balance for those who serve at least 2 years in critical shortage facilities. To learn details about eligibility and to download application forms, visit http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm

Student Loan Forgiveness for Armed Forces

The government shows their appreciation of those who serve and protect with a variety of student loan forgiveness programs for the military. The Armed Forces Forgiveness Program pays off up to $2,500 in college loan debt to borrowers who served between September 11th 2001 and June 30, 2006.

The National Guard offers its own student loan forgiveness program, paying off up to $10,000 worth of college loan debt for each qualified person. For more information call 1-800-GO-GUARD.

Student Loan Forgiveness for Volunteer Work

Serving in the Peace Corps, Americorps, or Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) all qualify you for college loan forgiveness programs in various amounts.

Peace Corps: Time spent volunteering for the Peace Corps pays in more ways than good feelings. Volunteers receive 15% of their Stafford, Perkins, and Consolidation loans paid for each year of service up to 70% of the college loan amount. To learn more about this student loan forgiveness opportunity call 1-800-424-8580.

Americorps, the domestic arm of the Peace Corps, awards volunteers $4,725 to apply toward their outstanding college loans after one year of service. To learn more call 1-800-942-2677.

VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America): Volunteer 1700 hours for one of the many organizations across the country focused on eradicating hunger, homelessness, poverty, and illiteracy and have up to $4725 wiped off your college balance. To learn more call 1-800-942-2677.

Student Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Staff

Those who volunteer for their states Head Start program not only help children from low income families prepare for kindergarten, they are also granted full or partial college loan forgiveness.

The state rewards its Head Start teachers and administrators by canceling 15% of their college loan balance for each year of service up to 100% of the balance. To learn more visit: http://www2.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb/

Student Loan Forgiveness for Providers of Intervention Services for the Disabled

The government will pay your Perkins loan in full if you provide full time services designed to aid disabled infants or toddlers who have physical, cognitive, communicative, social, emotional, or adaptive needs. Qualified programs can operate from an in-home setting or outside facility providing the program conforms to the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. To learn more about this student loan forgiveness program, contact your loan provider.

Find More Resources that Offer Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

Even more programs exist at the state or county government level or through industry-specific organizations. Inquire with the human resources department of your employer or groups that you volunteer for or are considering joining. Be sure to bookmark this page of resources or pass it along to a friend or colleague. You may just find a way to save yourself or someone you know a few thousand dollars!

ScholarPoint Financial, Inc. is a national online consumer lending company specializing in student loans. We believe in combining state-of-the-art technology with world class service to help students and parents easily gain access to data, become informed, and enjoy the process of obtaining a college loan. Learn more about Student Loan Consolidation at http://www.scholarpoint.com

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