What Rhode Island Student Loan Forgiveness Really Offers

Quick Facts

• Rhode Island has forgiveness programs for teachers, nurses, and STEM workers—but most borrowers won’t qualify.
• You can still get federal forgiveness through PSLFPublic Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)A federal program that forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments made while working full-time for a government or qualifying nonprofit employer., SAVESAVE Plan (SAVE)The Saving on a Valuable Education Plan, a federal income-driven repayment plan introduced in 2023 to replace REPAYE. Its implementation has been subject to ongoing litigation, and enrolled borrowers have faced court-ordered forbearance periods., or other programs, no matter where you live or work.
• Each program has its own process, but if you don’t qualify for state help, there are still ways to lower or get rid of your loans.

Can You Actually Get Student Loan Forgiveness in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island does have student loan forgiveness programs—but most of them are limited to specific jobs, employers, or loan types.

If you’re a teacher, nurse, STEM worker, or recent grad with RISLA loans, there might be real money on the table. If not, you still have federal options that don’t depend on where you live.

This guide breaks it all down:

• What Rhode Island offers through its own forgiveness and reward programs
• How to use federal forgiveness (like PSLF and IDRIncome-Driven Repayment (IDR)A category of federal student loan repayment plans that calculate monthly payments based on income and family size rather than loan balance. Any remaining balance can be forgiven after 20–25 years of qualifying payments.) if you live or work in RI
• What to do if none of the programs fit your situation

Let’s get you some answers—and maybe even some relief.

Related: State Programs for Student Loan Forgiveness

State-Based Student Loan Forgiveness Programs in Rhode Island

​Rhode Island offers several state-specific student loan forgiveness programs aimed at alleviating the financial burden for professionals in key sectors.

Below are some notable programs:​

1. Health Professional Loan Repayment Program

Eligibility Criteria:

• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen or national.​
• Licensure: Hold a valid, unrestricted license to practice in Rhode Island.​
• Employment: Employed or have accepted employment at an approved site in a federally designated HPSA.​
• Service Commitment: Agree to a minimum two-year service obligation.​

2. Wavemaker Fellowship

Eligibility Criteria:

• Employment: Must be employed in Rhode Island in a qualifying STEM or design-related role.​
• Education: Hold an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree.​
• Application: Submit an application during the designated period.​

The tax credit amount varies based on degree level and outstanding student loan balance. ​

3. Educator of Color Loan Forgiveness Program

Participants can receive up to $25,000 in loan forgiveness after completing three consecutive years of teaching in the district.​

Eligibility Criteria:

• Employment: Newly hired full-time teacher in PPSD.
• Identification: Identify as Asian, Black, Indigenous, Latino, biracial, or multiracial.
• Student Debt: Possess a minimum of $5,000 in student loans.

Applicants must complete at least 135 workdays per school year to maintain eligibility. For application details and deadlines, visit PPSD’s official page.

4. Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) Rewards Programs

RISLA offers various rewards programs to assist borrowers in managing their student loan debt:

• Nursing Rewards Program: Provides loan forgiveness for nurses who have RISLA loans and are employed by a licensed healthcare facility in Rhode Island, working at least 20 hours per week in direct patient care.​
• Internship Rewards Program: Offers up to $2,000 in loan forgiveness for students who complete eligible internships and have RISLA loans.​

These programs are specifically for borrowers with non-federal education loans held by RISLA. For comprehensive eligibility requirements and application procedures, visit RISLA’s rewards programs page.

Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Programs Rhode Island Borrowers Can Use

Even if Rhode Island’s state programs don’t apply to you, you may still qualify for federal loan forgiveness. These programs are available to borrowers in all 50 states—including Rhode Island.

Here’s a quick overview of the major ones:

1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

If you work full-time for a government or nonprofit employer in Rhode Island—like a public school, hospital, or city agency—you could qualify for full loan forgiveness after 10 years of payments under an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.

2. Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness

If you’re on an IDR plan like SAVE, PAYEPay As You Earn (PAYE)A federal income-driven repayment plan that caps monthly payments at 10% of discretionary income and forgives remaining debt after 20 years. It is only available to borrowers who took out their first federal loans on or after October 1, 2007., or IBRIncome-Based Repayment (IBR)A federal income-driven repayment plan that caps monthly payments at 10% or 15% of discretionary income, depending on when the loans were taken out. Remaining debt is forgiven after 20 or 25 years of qualifying payments., you can get your remaining federal loans forgiven after 20–25 years of qualifying payments. Some low-income borrowers on SAVE may see forgiveness even sooner—after just 10 years if your original loan balance was $12,000 or less.

3. Teacher Loan ForgivenessTeacher Loan ForgivenessA federal program that can forgive up to $17,500 of Direct or FFELP loans for teachers who complete five consecutive years of full-time teaching at a low-income school or educational service agency.

4. Borrower Defense to RepaymentBorrower Defense to RepaymentA federal process for discharging Direct Loans when the school misled the borrower or engaged in misconduct related to the loan or the educational services it promised.

If you went to a Rhode Island college that misled you or closed while you were enrolled, you might qualify for a full discharge of your federal loans through borrower defense.

5. Total and Permanent Disability (TPDTotal and Permanent Disability Discharge (TPD)A federal loan discharge for borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled, as documented by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, or a physician's certification.) Discharge

Borrowers with a qualifying disability can apply for full loan discharge. Rhode Island residents can use SSA or VA documentation—or a doctor’s certification—to prove eligibility.

6. Closed School DischargeClosed School DischargeA federal loan discharge available to borrowers whose school closed while they were enrolled or shortly after they withdrew, before they could complete their program of study.

If your school shut down while you were enrolled or shortly after you withdrew, you could qualify for forgiveness of federal loans taken out to attend that school.

How to Apply for Rhode Island Student Loan Forgiveness

Once you know which program you qualify for, the next question is: how do you actually get the relief?

Here’s what to expect.

Each program has its own application.

Rhode Island doesn’t have a single one-size-fits-all portal. You’ll need to apply through the agency or organization that runs the specific program:

• Health Professional Loan Repayment: Apply through the RI Department of Health. You’ll need proof of employment, licensure, and a signed service agreement.
• Wavemaker Fellowship: Apply through Rhode Island Commerce. There’s a defined application window each year, so don’t miss it.
• Educator of Color Loan Forgiveness: Apply through Providence Public Schools. You’ll need to show proof of identity, employment, and student loan balances.
• RISLA Rewards Programs: Apply directly with RISLA. These programs are only for RISLA-held private loans—not federal loans.

What you’ll typically need:

• Proof of employment (paystubs or a signed contract)
• Loan account statements
• Proof of degree or licensure
• A commitment agreement if the program requires future service

Related: How to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness

Expect to wait.

Most state programs don’t process instantly. Some, like Wavemaker, work on a once-a-year cycle. Others may take months to review and approve your application.

What If You Don’t Qualify for Any Rhode Island Program?

Not everyone fits neatly into these state-run programs—and that’s okay. Here’s what to do next if none of the Rhode Island options apply to you:

• Check if you qualify for PSLF or SAVE. These federal programs apply to any eligible borrower in Rhode Island, regardless of your job or degree. You don’t need to go through the state to apply. Related: What Jobs Qualify for PSLF
• Look into other forgiveness routes. Teacher Loan Forgiveness, Borrower Defense, Total and Permanent Disability Discharge—any one of these could cancel thousands (or all) of your loans.
• Consider refinancing or forbearance if you’re struggling now. If you’re holding private loans and not eligible for forgiveness, refinancingRefinancingTaking out a new private loan to pay off one or more existing student loans, usually to lower the interest rate or change the repayment term. Refinancing federal loans into a private loan eliminates federal benefits like IDR and PSLF. might reduce your monthly cost—just make sure it won’t disqualify you from any federal help. And if you need temporary breathing room, forbearance can buy you time (but interest keeps building).
• Live in RI, work in MA or CT? Check if neighboring states offer forgiveness programs based on where you work, not just where you live. Some STEM and healthcare programs are regional.

Bottom Line

Rhode Island does offer real student loan forgiveness—but most programs are limited to specific careers like teaching, nursing, or STEM. If that’s not you, federal programs like PSLF and SAVE are still available no matter where you live.

The hardest part? Figuring out what you actually qualify for—and what to do next. That’s where we come in.

Book a call with our student loan expert.

We’ll cut through the noise, look at your loans, and tell you—plain and simple—what options are on the table and how to apply.

No guesswork. No wasted time. Just clear answers.

Related Readings:

• Is it Too Late to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness?
• Are Federal Student Loans Forgiven After 25 Years
• How Long Do Student Loans Stay on Your Credit