Understanding Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

This program is part of a series of online programs provided by the UCLA Alumni Association led by the Civic Engagement Task Force of the UCLA Alumni Board.

If you have worked in public service (federal, state, local, tribal government or a nonprofit organization) for 10 years or more (even if not consecutively), you may be eligible to have all your federal student debt canceled under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. For a limited time, it is easier than ever to receive forgiveness or get credit toward forgiveness if you have not yet served 10 years.

Eligibility for the PSLF Program expires Oct. 31, 2022.

Marvin Smith, executive director of UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships, shares everything you’ll need to know to determine if PSLF is suitable for you and outline how to apply before it’s too late.

Important updates to this session:

The U.S. Department of Education will accept employment status documentation submitted after the deadline if both of the following are true:

1. An application was generated by 11:59 p.m. EST on Oct. 31 through the online PSLF Help Tool (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/).
2. You have submitted your request for employment verification by that date.

Loan consolidation requests must be submitted online by the Oct. 31 deadline to count under the waiver. Consolidate here: https://studentaid.gov/app/launchConsolidation.action.

You can track the status of your PSLF application at MOHELA here: https://www.mohela.com/DL/secure/borrower/PSLF/PSLFInformation.aspx#FormStatus.

Presentation links:

• Federal student loan servicer: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers
• FAQ: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/pslf-limited-waiver#questions
• Repayment plans: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans
• Loan consolidation: https://studentaid.gov/app/launchConsolidation.action
• Contacting your loan servicer: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers#your-servicer
• PSLF help tool: https://studentaid.gov/pslf/
• MOHELA (PSLF servicer): https://www.mohela.com/
• "Take Advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Waiver by Oct. 31": https://studentaid.gov/articles/take-advantage-pslf-waiver/
• "Become a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Help Tool Ninja": https://studentaid.gov/articles/become-a-pslf-help-tool-ninja/

The Civic Engagement Task Force of the Alumni Association Board is partnering with UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships and UCLA Government & Community Relations to provide information on federal student loans. In the near future, we will offer sessions that explain the Student Loan Debt Relief Plan application and loan process and that focus on resuming student loan repayment.