Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
Fort Lewis College is a qualifying public service organization under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. This means you may be eligible for loan forgiveness on your William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program loans after making 120 qualifying payments while employed full-time by certain public service employers.
Below is an overview of eligibility, participation options, and resources to help you navigate the PSLF program.
Who is eligible for PSLF?
Eligibility for the PSLF program depends on several factors. Even if your income is high, you may still qualify. TIAA Savi can help determine your eligibility in less than 20 minutes.
Requirements for PSLF
- Public service employment
You must work full-time (30+ hours per week or 75% FTE) each month to count toward 120 qualifying payments. Work with 501(c)3 organizations, government employers, or other qualifying nonprofits may also apply.
- Federal Direct Loan Program loans
You must have loans issued through the Direct Loan Program. Eligible loans include:
- Subsidized and unsubsidized loans for undergraduate and graduate students
- Graduate PLUS Loans for students
- Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans and Perkins Loans (if consolidated into a Direct Loan)
Note: Parent PLUS Loans are not eligible under the limited PSLF waiver.
- Enrollment in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan
Payments must be made under an IDR plan, which adjusts payments based on income, debt, and dependents.
- 10 years of qualifying payments
Make 120 on-time monthly payments while enrolled in an IDR plan. Payments don’t need to be consecutive or with the same employer. Payments made before enrolling in an IDR plan may also count.
Participation options for FLC Employees
- Manage the process independently
Complete the required forms annually and request employment verification from the Human Resources Department to maintain eligibility.
- Use TIAA Savi resources
Fort Lewis College partners with TIAA Savi, a tool that helps:
- Lower your loan payments
- Identify the best federal repayment programs for your situation
- Simplify the process of tracking your progress toward loan forgiveness
- Access State of Colorado resources
As a public institution, Fort Lewis College employees can use the State of Colorado Public Employee Student Loan Forgiveness webpage, which links to federal resources and a loan forgiveness toolkit.
Need help with PSLF?
For additional support, contact:
HR staff can assist with completing the employer section of the PSLF form and can provide either a physical or scanned signature without including personal information (PII).
Additional resources
For more tools and guidance, visit the U.S. Department of Education website or the State of Colorado Public Employee Student Loan Forgiveness webpage.