PSLF Forgiveness Estimator
Free Public Service Loan Forgiveness calculator. See how many qualifying payments you have left, what you will pay each month on RAP or IBR, and how much will be forgiven tax free.
Check your PSLF payment count at studentaid.gov. Enter 0 if you are just starting.
For IBR calculation. Count yourself, spouse if filing jointly, and dependents.
How PSLF works
Public Service Loan Forgiveness wipes out your remaining federal student loan balance after 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full time for a qualifying employer. That is 10 years. The forgiveness is completely tax free, unlike forgiveness under RAP or IBR after 20 to 30 years which counts as taxable income.
Which plan to use for PSLF
Since PSLF forgives everything after 120 payments regardless of how much you paid, the smartest move is to minimize your monthly payment. Every dollar you do not pay gets forgiven for free. RAP usually gives the lowest payment at most income levels. IBR can be cheaper at high incomes with small balances because of its payment cap. The calculator above shows both so you can compare. Read the full RAP and PSLF guide.
Qualifying employers
Government agencies at any level: federal, state, local, tribal. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Military service. Some other nonprofits providing qualifying public services. Use the PSLF Help Tool at studentaid.gov to confirm your employer qualifies.
Frequently asked questions
Is PSLF forgiveness taxable?
No. PSLF forgiveness is completely tax free. This is different from RAP forgiveness after 30 years or IBR forgiveness after 20 to 25 years, which are taxed as income.
Do my old payments count if I switch to RAP?
Yes. Qualifying payments from any income driven plan carry over. Your PSLF clock does not reset when you change plans.
Does RAP qualify for PSLF?
Yes. Both RAP and IBR qualify. Every on-time monthly payment counts toward the 120 needed for forgiveness.
What if I am in forbearance?
Months in forbearance do not count toward PSLF. If you were on the SAVE plan and placed in forbearance, those months are lost. Switch to RAP or IBR and start making payments again to restart the clock.