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President Biden’s Letter to the Federal Workforce

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Key Points

  • For a limited time, borrowers may receive credit for past periods of repayment on loans that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF.
  • If you have Federal Family Education (FFEL) Program loans, Perkins, or other federal student loans, borrowers need to consolidate their loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan to qualify for PSLF, both in general and under the waiver. Before consolidating, make sure to check to see if borrowers work for a qualifying employer.
  • Past periods of repayment will now count whether or not borrowers made a payment, made that payment on time, for the full amount due, or on a qualifying repayment plan.
  • Forbearance periods of 12 consecutive months or greater, or 36 cumulative months or greater will count under the changes. In fall 2022, the U.S. Department of Education will begin making account adjustments to include these periods. Forbearance periods provided by the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Flexibilities are not included toward these months.
  • Months spent in deferment before 2013 will count under the waiver. Additionally, ED will include Economic Hardship Deferment on or after January 1, 2013. These periods of deferment will also be applied to borrower’s accounts in fall 2022.
  • Periods of default and in-school deferment, still do not qualify.
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