Guide to State of Alaska Student Loan Forgiveness

Alaska student loan forgiveness programs— Your solutions to become debt-free. Learn your top options and how to apply to each program.

By Stanley Tate · Reviewed by Stanley Tate

Updated May 6, 2026 · 9 min read

Quick Facts

Alaska offers loan forgiveness programs for healthcare workers, teachers, and other professionals. Some of your options are the SHARP, the Indian Health Service, and the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program.
If you work in public service, you can qualify for PSLF after 120 payments under a qualifying repayment plan.
You can also explore loan consolidation, refinancing, deferment, and forbearance to manage your student loans if forgiveness programs are not a fit.

Overview

If you have student loans in Alaska, there are plenty of programs that can help you reduce or even erase your debt. These include:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Wipes out the rest of your federal loans after 120 qualifying payments if you work for a government or nonprofit.
Income-Driven Repayment Forgiveness: Bases your payments on your income and family size, with the remaining balance forgiven after 20–25 years.
SHARP Program: Gives up to $35,000 a year for healthcare workers in areas that need more providers.
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program: Offers up to $50,000 for healthcare professionals serving Native communities.

There’s likely a program that matches your situation, especially if you’re in public service, healthcare, or teaching. Keep reading to find out how these programs work and how to apply.

Related:

Does Alaska Forgive Student Loans?

Yes, Alaska has programs that help people in certain jobs become debt-free, especially if you work in public service or healthcare. Some examples are the SHARP Program, the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program, and the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program.

Some borrowers from other states also wonder if,

Is it true that the state of Alaska will pay off your student loans just to move there?

The answer is no. If you are referring to the Permanent Fund Dividend program, the cash benefit only goes to residents who live in Alaska for a full year and don’t claim residency in another state.

5 Alaska Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Who is it for? For Alaskans who work full-time in public service and have federal student loans. You should have a direct loan or if your loans are Stafford or Parent PLUS Loans, you’d need to combine them into one Direct Consolidation Loan first.
Eligibility: You need to work for a government or non-profit employer, be on a qualifying repayment plan like the Income-driven repayment plan (SAVE or PAYE), and make 120 payments (that’s about 10 years).

Once you do that, the rest of your loan can be forgiven. You can use the PSLF Employer Search Tool from the Federal Student Aid to check if your employer is qualified for this program.

Related: PSLF Buyback Program

2. IDR Forgiveness

Income-driven repayment plans adjust your monthly payments based on income and family size. After 20 or 25 years of payments (depending on the type of IDR plan you choose), any remaining loan balance is forgiven.

Who is it for? For Alaskans who want their monthly loan payments to match their income and family size.
Eligibility: Enroll in an IDR plan like the SAVE plan, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Income-Based Repayment (IBR), or Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR). You must make all required payments for the full repayment term, which is either 20 or 25 years.

Most public service workers in Alaska choose PSLF over IDR forgiveness. It is fast, and you only have 10 years to make your student loan payments. But of course, if you want your payments to be based on your discretionary income, then IDR forgiveness is your best choice.

3. Loan Discharge Due to Disability

The U.S. Department of Education introduced the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge program to help Alaskan residents erase their student loans if they prove they can no longer render work.

Who is it for? Alaskans with total and permanent disabilities who cannot earn an income. See this list of disabilities to know your eligibility for the program.
Eligibility: You must provide official proof of your disability, such as a doctor’s certification, a disability determination from the Social Security Administration (SSA), or a 100% disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Once approved, your remaining loan balance will be forgiven. To start, you can contact Federal Student Aid to learn more about the application process and other required documentation.

You can also read our guide on how to apply for this program to make things easier for you.

4. Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

If you’re a teacher in Alaska working at a low-income school, the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program might be just what you need to reduce your student loan debt. It’s a way to reward teachers who dedicate their time to helping students in underserved communities.

Who is it for? Teachers committed to working full-time in low-income schools or educational service agencies, particularly those teaching high-need subjects like math or science.
Eligibility: Requires five consecutive years of full-time teaching at a qualifying low-income school or agency and is highly qualified in your subject area.

Eligible teachers can receive up to $17,500 in debt relief for teaching high-need subjects or $5,000 for other teaching roles. Read these guides below to learn more about this program:

5. Borrower Defense to Repayment

If you went to a school that gave you false or misleading information or broke the rules in a way that influenced your decision to enroll, you might qualify to have your federal student loans discharged through the Borrower Defense to Repayment program.

Who is it for? For Alaska residents who attended a school that engaged in deceptive practices, like false advertising or fraudulent recruitment.
Eligibility: You’ll need to show evidence that your school’s misconduct directly influenced your decision to enroll or take out loans. Learn more about this program.

To help you better understand this program, here’s a comprehensive list of schools that are part of borrower defense claims or have been accused of student fraud. See if your school is among them.

Many of my clients in Alaska mistakenly believe that forgiveness will occur automatically once they meet the payment requirements.

You need to submit the necessary paperwork, like the Employment Certification Form (ECF) for PSLF, annually and whenever you change jobs. If you don’t, your payments may not count toward forgiveness.

If you don’t know when to submit or how to obtain credits toward forgiveness, our expert student loan lawyers can help you with this matter.

Alaska-Specific Student Loan Repayment Programs

If you want more choices, these repayment assistance programs can provide additional relief towards your student loans. Here’s the breakdown of each option:

SHARP Program

SHARP-I: If you’re a primary care doctor, dentist, or mental health provider in Alaska, the SHARP-I program can help. Work for at least two years in an area that needs more healthcare providers, and you could get up to $35,000 a year for Tier 1 jobs or $20,000 a year for Tier 2 jobs—sometimes even more for hard-to-fill roles.
SHARP-II: Offers help with student loans for a wide range of professionals. You can qualify for benefits whether you work full-time or part-time, with amounts based on your job and salary. After an initial three-year commitment, you can renew your contract to keep the support going.
SHARP-III: Helps healthcare professionals in Alaska provide care in underserved areas. You can get up to $35,000 per year for Tier 1 jobs (like doctors and dentists), $20,000 for Tier 2 (like nurse practitioners and dental hygienists), and $15,000 for Tier 3 roles.

Participants in Tier 1 and Tier 2 must provide at least 50% direct patient care, while Tier 3 has no such requirement. Payments are issued quarterly upon submission of a work report and employer payments.

To Apply: You can contact Robert Sewell, Ph.D., Program Manager, SHARP Program, Alaska DHSS (907) 465-4065, robert.sewell@alaska.gov

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program

To Apply: Review the Application and Program Guidance (APG) to understand the requirements. Then, create an account on the Bureau of Health Workforce Portal, log in, and complete your application.

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

Provides financial assistance to registered and advanced practice registered nurses in exchange for a commitment to work in Critical Shortage Facilities or as nurse faculty at eligible nursing schools.

Borrowers can receive up to 60% of their qualifying educational loans repaid over two years, with the possibility of an additional 25% repayment for a third year of service.

To Apply: Contact the NHSC support line at 1-800-221-9393 to determine your eligibility.

Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program

You can extend your contracts annually until their loans are fully repaid, promoting long-term service in underserved areas.

To Apply: Review the application guidelines on the Indian Health Service website. Applications can be submitted online, and you must provide personal information, educational and professional background, and details about your student loans.

Alternative Options to Manage Your Student Loans

If you’re looking for more help beyond the usual federal government programs or have private student loans, here are other ways to handle your debt:

Refinancing: Lower your interest rate or combine multiple loans into one. This option is best for borrowers with good credit and stable income who don’t plan to use federal loan benefits. Contact your lender for details, or learn from our guide on How to Refinance Student Loans.
Deferment and Forbearance: If you’re facing financial difficulties, such as losing a job, economic hardship, military service, or returning to school, you can apply to pause your loan payments. Deferment may let you avoid interest on certain loans, while forbearance typically pauses payments but continues accruing interest.
Loan Consolidation: You can combine multiple loans into one, simplifying your payments with a single monthly bill. Consolidation may also lower your payment by extending the repayment period, though it could increase the overall interest you pay.

All the programs available might feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to decide alone. If you’re unsure which option works best, our student loan experts can help you sort it out.

Have questions about repayment options or getting debt-free? Don’t put your future on hold—reach out today.

Alaska Student Loan Forgiveness FAQs

How will the student loan forgiveness plan impact Alaskans?

The student loan forgiveness plan can ease financial burdens for many Alaskans, especially those in public service or healthcare. Programs like SHARP encourage residents to work in high-need areas, strengthening Alaska’s workforce while helping borrowers reduce or eliminate their student loan debt.

What are the eligibility criteria for student loan forgiveness in Alaska?

Eligibility depends on the program. Generally, borrowers must work in specific fields like public service, healthcare, or education, often in underserved areas. Programs may require a set number of qualifying payments, full-time employment, and proof of licensure or certification. Federal options like PSLF also require a Direct Loan and an Income-driven repayment plan.

Are there specific student loan forgiveness programs for teachers in Alaska?

Yes, teachers in Alaska may qualify for programs like the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, which offers up to $17,500 in forgiveness for teaching in low-income schools. Additionally, public school teachers may benefit from PSLF or SHARP if they work in underserved areas.

How can I apply for student loan forgiveness in Alaska?

To apply, review the specific program’s requirements, such as PSLF or IDR forgiveness, and gather necessary documents like proof of employment and loan details. For federal programs, use the Federal Student Aid website. For Alaska-based programs, check with the Alaska Department of Health or relevant agencies for application details.

Bottom Line

If you’re living in Alaska and dealing with student loans, there are forgiveness programs that might be perfect for your job. Teachers, healthcare workers, and public service employees can find options that fit their needs.

Many Alaskans from Anchorage to Juneau have found relief with our help, and we’d love to do the same for you.

Schedule a consultation with us today, and we’ll create a plan that works for you.

Related reading:

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