How to apply for the public service loan forgiveness program

Alert!

If you are a TEACH Grant recipient who was performing qualifying teaching service during the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school years, and that service was interrupted by the COVID-19 emergency, your employment will still count as a full year of qualifying teaching service.

With Account Access, it's now easier to stay up-to-date on your grant details.

Track your progress towards the completion of your service obligation today.

TEACH Overview

Review the general TEACH Grant information below that best describes your current situation.

In School

In School

Enrolled in a TEACH Grant Eligible Program of Study

As the servicer of your grants, we will keep track of the potential interest that you'll have to repay if your grants are ever converted to loans. We will send you quarterly emails and an annual summary of this interest.

Don't worry! No payment is due and you may never have to repay this interest. As long as you perform qualifying teaching service and meet all other requirements of your service obligation as explained in your Agreement to Serve or Repay, you will not have to repay your grant or the accrued interest.

Where do you stand?

When is Your TEACH Grant Service Obligation Completed?

After School

After School

Separated From a TEACH Grant Eligible Program of Study

When you graduate, withdraw or otherwise separate from the school where you received your TEACH Grants, you need to:

• As explained in the Agreement that you signed before receiving your TEACH Grants, you must complete one 4-year service obligation for all TEACH Grants you receive for undergraduate study, and one 4-year service obligation for all TEACH Grants you receive for graduate study. The 8-year period during which you must complete your service obligation begins on the date you cease to be enrolled at the school where you received your TEACH Grants.
• If you withdraw from school before completing the program for which you received TEACH Grants and later re-enroll at the same school or at a different school in a TEACH Grant-eligible program that is at the same academic level (undergraduate or graduate) as the program from which you previously withdrew, and you did not complete any academic years of qualifying teaching during the period between your withdrawal and re-enrollment, we will adjust the starting date of your service obligation period to begin when you cease to be enrolled at the school where you have re-enrolled.
• Teach full-time as a highly-qualified teacher in a high-need field at an eligible low-income elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency for at least 4 academic years.
• Complete the required 4 years of teaching within 8 years from the time you cease enrollment at the school where you received your TEACH Grants. If you receive a TEACH Grant at one school and later transfer to a different school and enroll in another TEACH Grant-eligible program, you must complete your required 4 years of teaching within 8 years from the date you cease to be enrolled at the other school. You may also request a temporary suspension of the period for completing your service obligation under one of the eligible suspension reasons outlined separately.
• Meet all requirements for certifying that you are teaching to satisfy your service obligation, as described in your Agreement.

Where do you stand?

When is your TEACH Grant Service Obligation Completed?

Important to Know—If you don't meet these requirements, your TEACH Grants may be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans that you'll have to repay in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement. For more information about your teaching obligation, review your Agreement.

Have a Qualifying Teaching Job

You need to certify that you are currently performing teaching service that meets the requirements of your service obligation, as explained in your Agreement.

Do you believe you qualify for a temporary suspension as explained in your Agreement?

Complete the TEACH Grant Certification Form Online

We will remind you when it is time for you to certify your status for your service obligation.

Track your progress towards completing your service obligation today.

Completing the TEACH Grant Certification Form

Get help preparing your TEACH Grant Certification Form in your online account through Account Access with Forms Assistance. Forms Assistance can prepopulate the form making it easier and more convenient to submit your request.

Easily prepare your TEACH Grant Certification Form with Forms Assistance!

Don't Have an Account?

Create one today!

NOTE: You must also have your or complete Section 3.

Still Have Questions?

Use our TEACH Grant Certification FAQ to find the answers you are looking for.

Qualifying for a Temporary Suspension

If you intend to teach but are currently unable to, you may qualify for a temporary suspension of the time you need to complete your service obligation, as explained in your Agreement.

Circumstances or conditions that qualify you for a temporary suspension of the 8-year period for completing your service obligation are:

Active Military Service

Active Military Service

You can request a suspension of your service obligation for 12 months at a time (up to 3 years maximum) if you are:

• Called to order to Federal or state active duty or Active Service as a member of a Reserve Component of the Armed Forces named in 10 U.S.C. 10101, or service as a member of the National Guard on full-time National Guard on full-time National Guard duty, as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(5).

If you are subject to an extended call or order to active duty and you've already used the 3 years allotted to suspend your service obligation due to your time spent on active duty, you may qualify for a discharge of some or all of your service obligation. To learn more or to request a discharge, follow the instructions provided through Account Access or on the TEACH Grant Suspension/Military Discharge Request Form (PDF). You will receive the following of your four-year service obligation if the call or order to active duty status is for more than three years:

• A discharge of 1 year of your 4-year service obligation if the call or order to active duty status is for more than 3 years;
• A discharge of 2 years of your 4-year service obligation if the call or order to active duty status is for more than 4 years;
• A discharge of 3 years of your 4-year service obligation if the call or order to active duty status is for more than 5 years;
• A total discharge of your 4-year service obligation if the call or order to active duty status is for more than 6 years.

Request a temporary military suspension

To request a temporary suspension of your service obligation based on your active duty status:

1. Access and complete the form.

2A. Submit both a copy of your military orders and your military identification with your completed Suspension/Discharge Form;

NOTE: Please make sure that any orders you submit include the dates of your active duty status.

OR

2B. Have a Commanding or Personnel Officer complete Section 4 of the Suspension/Discharge Form, indicating the dates of your service.

NOTE: As an alternative to filling out Section 4, your Commanding or Personal Officer may forward separate documentation that includes all of the information requested on the form.

Power of Attorney or Representative

If you have been granted a Power of Attorney (POA) for or are representing a service member and you need to request a temporary suspension of the service member's service obligation period, download, complete, and return the TEACH Grant Suspension/Military Discharge Request Form (PDF). Don't forget to include the service member's name and account number (if you have it). You will need to submit a copy of both the service member's military orders and military identification with the Suspension/Discharge Form, or have the service member's Commanding or Personnel Officer complete Section 4 of the form. Please make sure that any orders you submit include the dates the service member is in an active duty status. Keep in mind that if we don't already have record of your POA status, we will also need a copy of the service member's POA document.

Qualifying Enrollment

Qualifying Enrollment

You can request a suspension of the period for completing your service obligation for 12 months at a time (up to a maximum of 3 years) when you are enrolled in an eligible program of study that temporarily prevents you from teaching to satisfy your service obligation. You may also request a suspension under this category when receiving state-required instruction or otherwise fulfilling requirements for licensure to teach in a state’s elementary or secondary schools. An eligible program is one that is eligible for the TEACH Grant or a program of study that has been determined by a state to satisfy the requirements for certification or licensure to teach in the state's elementary or secondary schools. The maximum 3-year period is a combined limit for suspensions based on qualifying enrollment or suspensions based on a qualifying reason for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Request a Temporary Qualifying Enrollment Suspension

1. and take the TEACH Grant Certification Quiz to complete a TEACH Grant Suspension/Military Discharge Request Form with your answers or download a blank form (PDF).

2. Have an authorized official complete Section 4 of the form, confirming that you are enrolled in an eligible program of study at your institution, and indicate the dates of enrollment.

Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

You can request a suspension of the period for completing your service obligation for 12 months at a time (up to a maximum of 3 years) when one of the following conditions prevents you from teaching to satisfy your service obligation. The maximum 3-year period is a combined limit for suspensions based on qualifying enrollment or suspensions based on a qualifying reason for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Birth of a child and caring for the newborn

You need to provide:

• The academic year for which you need to suspend your service obligation
• The child's birth date

Placement of a newly adopted child or foster child in your home

You need to provide:

• The academic year for which you need to suspend your service obligation
• The child's date of placement

Caring for your spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition

You need to provide:

• The academic year for which you need to suspend your service obligation
• The date you began caring for the individual
• Your relationship to the individual

A serious health condition that makes you unable to work

You need to provide:

• The academic year for which you need to suspend your service obligation
• The date the health condition affected your ability to work

Caring for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness

You may qualify if you are caring for a covered service member and you are the spouse, child, parent, or next of kin to that service member. The service member must be a current member of the military who has a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty on active duty and is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy; or is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list. You need to provide the following:

• The academic year for which you need to suspend your service obligation
• The date you began caring for the service member
• Your relationship to the service member

Qualifying exigency for a covered military member

If you have an exigency arising out of the fact that your spouse, child, or parent is a covered military member on active duty (or has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty) in support of a contingency operation, you may qualify to suspend your service obligation. If you believe you are eligible for a suspension based on this qualifying reason for leave under the FMLA, contact us!

Request a Temporary FMLA Suspension

To request suspension, and take the TEACH Grant Certification Quiz to complete a TEACH Grant FMLA Suspension Request Form with your answers or download a blank form (PDF).

Military Spouse

Military Spouse

• You can request a suspension if you are unable to complete a full year of teaching service during the school year due to your spouse’s military deployment in support of a call to Federal or State active duty, or Active Service, or change in permanent duty station.
• Military spouse is not included in the maximum 3-year combined limit for suspensions based on qualifying enrollment or suspensions based on a qualifying reason for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Request a Temporary Suspension as a Military Spouse

To request suspension, and take the TEACH Grant Certification Quiz to complete a TEACH Grant Suspension/Military Spouse Request Form with your answers or download a blank form (PDF).

Disaster

Disaster

• You can request a suspension if you are or were residing in a federally declared major disaster area, as defined in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Act 42 U.S.C. 5122(2))
• You can request a suspension if you are or were employed in a federally declared disaster area, as defined in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Act 42 U.S.C. 5122(2))
• You may review federally declared major disaster areas at www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations
• Disaster is not included in the maximum 3-year combined limit for suspensions based on qualifying enrollment or suspensions based on a qualifying reason for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Request a Temporary Disaster Related Suspension

To request suspension, and take the TEACH Grant Certification Quiz to complete a TEACH Grant Suspension/Disaster Request Form with your answers or download a blank form (PDF).

Converting to a Loan

As explained in your Agreement, your TEACH Grants will be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans that you must repay in full, with interest charged from the date of disbursement, if one or more of the following occurs:

• You request that we convert the TEACH Grants you received to Direct Unsubsidized Loans because you have decided not to teach or have decided not to teach in a qualified school or field, or for any other reason. and make your request.
  • If you do not intend to fulfill your teaching obligation and you do not plan to enter into active duty military service (which may lead to discharge of your teaching obligation), please notify us as soon as possible. Delaying the conversion of your grant into a loan may lead to unnecessary interest accrual and capitalization (the addition of interest to your loan balance).
• You do not complete your required 4 years of eligible teaching service within the required 8-year period after you cease enrollment at your school, as described in your Agreement, and:
  • You have not applied for and been determined eligible for a suspension of the 8-year period for completing your service obligation under one of the conditions described in your Agreement; or
  • You have not reenrolled in a program for which you would be eligible to receive TEACH Grants.

Still Have Questions?

Use our TEACH Grant Certification FAQ to find the answers you are looking for.

Did You Create a Repayment Strategy?

Creating a repayment strategy is a great way to meet your repayment goals.

Having Trouble Paying?

If you can't afford your student loan payments, don't wait until you fall behind to seek assistance.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)

Service members eligible for this benefit can have their interest, costs, and fees capped at 6% during their service.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an active duty member, or a member absent due to sickness, wounds, leave, or other lawful cause, of the uniformed services OR a U.S. citizen serving with a U.S. ally force in prosecution of war or military action, if such service is similar to "military service" as defined under the SCRA. Examples of uniformed services include:
  • Army
  • Navy
  • Air Force
  • Marines
  • Coast Guard
  • National Guard (must be called to active duty for more than 30 consecutive days for purposes of responding to a national emergency declared by the President and supported by Federal funds.)
  • Commissioned Officer of the Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Loans must have been disbursed prior to the date that you began serving active duty

NOTE: If you consolidate your loans, you may be at risk for not being eligible for the SCRA benefit. Your loans will have a new disbursement date that may be after you began serving active duty.

How to Apply

If we identify through the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) website that you meet the eligibility requirements, we will automatically apply the SCRA benefit to your eligible loans. We will also continue monitoring your account to ensure that your interest rate does not exceed 6% and your fees and costs are waived while you are serving on active duty.

If you are unsure if you are receiving the SCRA benefit, you or a legal representative can call us toll free at 1-800-699-2908 for additional information.

If you are not receiving the SCRA benefit, you or a legal representative can contact our office to apply for the SCRA benefit verbally or use one of the methods listed below by one of the following methods:

• Email
• Fax
• Postal Mail
• Chat

  NOTE: Sign into your online account and select Contact Us in order to chat during our office hours.

OR

• You may complete section 1 and 3 and have an authorized official complete section 4 of the Servicemembers Civil Relieve Act (SCRA): Interest Rate Limitation Request (PDF) form
• Provide military orders or "any other appropriate indicator of military service, including a certified letter from a commanding officer"
• Submit an application for a Military Service Deferment on your loan, if applicable

You may send this information by one of the following methods:

1. Upload your completed application and required documents
2. Mail your completed application and required documents to:

   FedLoan Servicing
   P.O. Box 69184
   Harrisburg, PA 17106-9184

3. Fax: (717) 720-1628

To learn more about SCRA benefits, contact your Judge Advocate General's Corps Office.

For Members of the U.S. Armed Forces

View the benefits available to you as a dedicated member of the armed forces.

No Accrual of Interest Benefit (Service in Areas of Hostilities)

You may be eligible to have the interest rate on your loans reduced to 0% for up to 60 months. If you currently meet the eligibility requirements or you previously served in an area that qualified for special pay as outlined below, this interest rate benefit can be applied for your time of service.

Eligibility Requirements

• Direct Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2008 are eligible.
• Direct Consolidation Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2008 that repay loans also first disbursed on or after October 1, 2008 are eligible. The entire Direct Consolidation Loan may be eligible or a portion, based on disbursement dates. This includes FFEL Program Loans that were repaid through a Direct Consolidation Loan, if they meet these criteria.
• You must serve or have served in an area of hostilities and you must qualify for or have received special pay under Section 310 of Title 37 (PDF) of the United States Code.

How to Apply

You don't have to make a formal request to get this benefit, but we need enough detail from you to determine that you're eligible. To have us review your eligibility and apply the benefit, send us your request and one of the following documents:

1. A copy of your military orders
2. A statement, such as your leave and earnings statement, detailing your receipt of hostile fire or imminent danger pay
3. A signed letter from a certifying official

Or, if you want to postpone your payments while you are on active duty, complete the Military Deferment form (PDF) (also known as Military Service and Post-Active Duty Student Deferment form) and have your commanding or personnel officer complete section four of the form and check the box next to item 3.

If you have any questions about your eligibility, contact us.

Other Options for Service Members

There are options available to lower your monthly payment amount (as low as $0 per month)! You may even be eligible for partial or total loan forgiveness depending on your circumstances.

Repayment Options

As a service member, there are specific deferments and forbearances that you may qualify for based on your circumstances. Before you consider postponing your payments, we recommend that you explore your repayment plan options. For example, Income-Driven Repayment plans are available that may offer:

• Payment amounts based on your income and family size
• Monthly payments as low as $0 per month
• Opportunities for loan forgiveness
• And more!

NOTE: These repayment plans require annual recertification of your income, which we know can be difficult during periods of deployment. If you designate someone as a Power of Attorney while you are away, they are able to recertify your income on your behalf.

If you want to get an idea of what your payment amount may be on any of the available plans, you can utilize our .

Options for Postponing Payments

If repaying your loans right now isn't going to work for you, you may qualify to postpone your payments during a period of active duty service if you are:

• Serving on qualifying National Guard duty,
• Serving as a reservist or retired member of the Armed Forces,
• Serving as any other member of the Armed Forces who has been assigned to a duty station at a location other than the location where you are normally assigned, or
• Serving as a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or officer of the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, depending on the dates your loans were disbursed.

Our interactive Eligibility Quiz helps you determine if your federal student loans are eligible for a deferment or forbearance and provides the best options for postponing your payments.

Account Maintenance

You can give us permission to release account information to an individual you trust and authorize. Review the recommended third party contacts below.

Authorized Third Party

An Authorized Third Party can receive specific information about your loans, but they CANNOT make changes to your account. To authorize a third party to obtain your account information:

Power of Attorney

Providing Power of Attorney (POA) to someone you trust may be the most useful option if you have limited access to your account while you are away. You can provide your POA with the ability to make decisions and changes on your account.

• Contact your Judge Advocate General's Corps office for more information.
• Make sure your name and account number are listed on the document prior to mailing or faxing.

Learn More About Account Authorizations

Are you a POA for an Active Duty Service Member?

Mail or fax the documentation to:

FedLoan Servicing
P.O. Box 69184
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9184

Fax: (717) 720-1628

Don't forget to include the service member's name and account number (if you have it).

Are You Deployed or Traveling for Training?

Update your mailing address, phone number, and email address before you leave!

General Tips

• Set up an online account to make managing your loans easier while away.
• Apply for Direct Debit so you can establish automatic monthly payments.
• A request for SCRA Benefits may be requested verbally by contacting our office or by providing us with a copy of your military documentation.
• Elect a POA or provide authorization to a third party.
• Request the repayment plan that best meets your needs, and consider whether you may benefit from Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• You may sign in to your on-line account and send us an email to request SCRA Benefits or upload documentation for review.
• For more Military information visit the Department of Defense site at MilitaryOneSource.mil.
• Employer support services are available to members of the Guard and Reserve through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) website: esgr.mil or by calling 1-800-336-4590.