Student Loan Forgiveness for Lawyers: How to Get It

Quick Facts

• Lawyers employed by government agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, or in public service roles may be eligible for the 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. program. After making 120 qualifying payments under an approved plan, your remaining balance could be forgiven.
• If you’re not in public service, you can still pursue forgiveness through Income-Driven RepaymentIncome-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. plans, which offer forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of payments.
• Some law firms and nonprofit organizations offer LRAPs to support their employees. These programs help with student loan repayment, especially for those in public interest or high-demand legal roles.

Overview

If you’re a prosecutor, public defender, government attorney, or any lawyer working full-time for a local, state, federal, or tribal agency, you may qualify for the PSLF Program. This program is designed specifically for those in public service roles.

If you’re in private practice, at a small or mid-size firm, in Big Law, or working as in-house counsel, PSLF may not be available—but you still have options. IDR forgivenessIDR ForgivenessThe forgiveness of any remaining federal student loan balance after a borrower has completed 20 or 25 years of qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan, depending on the specific plan. provides a path to manage and reduce student debt for lawyers in non-public-sector roles.

Additionally, some employers and states offer Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs) that can help cover your student loan payments, especially for private loans. Exploring these resources alongside federal forgiveness options could give you extra relief.

Here’s how to determine which forgiveness program could fit your career path and what steps you can take to ease the burden of law school debt.

Related

• Biden Student Loan Forgiveness
• Trump Wins – What Does That Mean for Student Loan Forgiveness?

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Eligibility for PSLF

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is designed for lawyers working in qualifying public service roles. To be eligible, you must:

• Work full-time for a qualifying employer, such as a government organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or an eligible educational institution.
• Have Direct Loans or consolidate your loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan.
• Make 120 qualifying monthly payments under an Income-Driven Repayment plan.

Related: How Non-profit Employees Get Student Loan Forgiveness

Qualifying Employment

Roles that typically qualify for PSLF include:

• Prosecutors and Public Defenders: Employed by state or local government.
• Government Attorneys: Working for federal, state, or local agencies.
• Nonprofit Lawyers: Those working full-time at 501(c)(3) organizations and some 501(c)(6) organizations like legal aid clinics, the American Bar Association (ABA), etc.
• Law School Professors: Employed by public universities or nonprofit educational institutions.

Example: Maria, a public defender, qualifies for PSLF by working full-time for her local government agency and making payments under the SAVE planSAVE 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. (formerly the REPAYERevised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE)A former federal income-driven repayment plan that capped payments at 10% of discretionary income, with forgiveness after 20 or 25 years. REPAYE was replaced by the SAVE Plan in 2023. plan). After 120 qualifying payments, she can apply for forgiveness.

Related:

• PSLF Qualifying Employers List
• Federal Employee Student Loan Forgiveness

Common Pitfalls

There are a few common mistakes that might prevent you from qualifying for PSLF, including:

• Failing to consolidate your non-Direct Loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan.
• Working part-time or for an employer that doesn’t qualify for PSLF.
• Choosing a repayment plan that doesn’t meet the requirements for PSLF.

Related: How to Consolidate FFEL Loans to Direct Loans

Income-Driven Repayment Plan Forgiveness

Income-Driven Repayment plans offer loan forgiveness to all lawyers after 20 or 25 years of qualifying payments, regardless of employer type. This makes IDR a flexible option for lawyers in private practice, corporate roles, or other non-public service careers who do not qualify for PSLF.

Types of IDR Plans

Each IDR plan has unique features and eligibility requirements:

• Income-Based RepaymentIncome-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. (IBR): Monthly payments are capped at 10% or 15% of discretionary incomeDiscretionary IncomeFor federal income-driven repayment plans, a borrower's adjusted gross income minus a set percentage of the federal poverty guideline for their family size. Monthly IDR payments are calculated as a percentage of this amount., with forgiveness after 20 or 25 years, depending on when you took out your loans. Learn more about IBR Loan Forgiveness.
• Income-Contingent RepaymentIncome-Contingent Repayment (ICR)The oldest federal income-driven repayment plan, with payments generally set at 20% of discretionary income or a fixed 12-year amount, whichever is lower. It is the only IDR plan available to Parent PLUS borrowers after consolidation. (ICR): Payments are less than 20% of discretionary income or a fixed amount based on a 12-year repayment schedule, with forgiveness after 25 years. This is often a defaultDefaultThe status of a federal student loan after the borrower has failed to make required payments for 270 days. Default can trigger collection actions such as wage garnishment, tax refund offset, and damage to credit reports. choice for Parent PLUS loans.
• Pay As You EarnPay 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. (PAYE): Limited to borrowers with specific financial needs, this plan caps payments at 10% of discretionary income, with forgiveness after 20 years.
• Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE): Intended to replace REPAYE, the SAVE plan was designed to offer more favorable terms for borrowers. But due to ongoing litigation, the implementation of the SAVE plan is currently blocked.

Example: Michael, an in-house counsel for a private corporation, has high loan debt and doesn’t qualify for PSLF. By enrolling in the PAYE plan, he can cap his payments at 10% of his discretionary income and look forward to forgiveness after 20 years.

Important Considerations

• Tax Implications: Unlike PSLF, forgiven debt under IDR is treated as taxable income, which could result in a tax bill in the year of forgiveness. Check out our article on the SAVE Plan Tax Bomb for tips on dealing with it.
• Annual Recertification: Borrowers must recertify income and family size each year, which can adjust payment amounts. Any increase in income may lead to higher monthly payments. For more information on this matter, read our Student Loan Recertification Guide.

Tip: To estimate your monthly payments and potential forgiveness amount, try using an IDR calculator or consult with a financial advisor to find the best fit for your financial goals.

Related: Student Loan Forgiveness Income Limits

Is IDR Forgiveness Right for You?

Income-Driven Repayment plans are technically available to all borrowers, but whether you benefit from forgiveness depends on your loan balance relative to your income. IDR plans base monthly payments on your income, which means:

• High Balance, Low Income: If your student loan balance is large compared to your income, IDR forgiveness could help, as it may take years to pay off, and you’re more likely to reach forgiveness.
• Lower Balance, Higher Income: If your balance is lower or your income is higher, you may fully repay the loan before reaching the forgiveness timeline, making IDR less effective as a long-term forgiveness strategy.

Example: Michael, an in-house counsel, has a student loan balance that’s five times his annual income, so he’s a strong candidate for forgiveness through IDR. In contrast, Sarah, a corporate attorney with a smaller balance and higher salary, may benefit more from an alternative repayment approach.

Tip: To assess if IDR will work for you, consider using a loan simulator from the Federal Student AidFederal Student Aid (FSA)The office within the U.S. Department of Education that manages federal grants, work-study, and student loans. It runs the FAFSA, the StudentAid.gov website, and oversees the federal loan servicers. or consulting with a student loan advisor.

Loan Repayment Assistance Programs

These programs are designed to support people with high student loan debt by offering help with loan payments.

LRAPs can be different depending on your state, employer, or law school, so it’s a good idea to look into options that match your career and background.

State-Based LRAPs

Some states offer loan repayment programs to lawyers in specific roles, particularly those in public service. These programs are often aimed at:

• Public Defenders and Prosecutors: States may offer repayment assistance to lawyers in government service to retain talent in critical legal positions.
• Public Interest Lawyers: In some states, attorneys working in nonprofit organizations or legal aid positions may qualify for state-sponsored LRAPs.

Always check with your state’s higher education department or attorney general’s office for available programs.

Related: State Programs For Student Loan Forgiveness

Employer-Based LRAPs

Some employers, like law firms and nonprofits, may offer LRAPs as part of their benefits. While not as common, these loan assistance programs are often targeted at employees in public service or high-demand fields.

• Big Law and Corporate Entities: A few large firms and corporations may offer loan repayment assistance to attract top talent, though these programs are typically limited.
• Nonprofits and Advocacy Organizations: Some nonprofits, particularly those focused on public interest law, provide LRAPs for employees working in critical advocacy roles.

Law School LRAPs

Many law schools offer their own loan repayment assistance programs to support graduates pursuing public service careers. Programs vary by school but can be a valuable resource, especially for recent law school graduates.

• Public Interest Alumni: Some schools prioritize LRAP funds for alumni working in public interest or government roles.
• Application Requirements: Law school LRAPs typically require graduates to meet specific income and eligible employment conditions to qualify for assistance.

Example: Sarah, a graduate of a public law school, works at a legal aid organization in her state. Her law school’s LRAP helps cover a portion of her monthly student loan repayment, making it easier for her to stay in her position without the full financial burden of her law school debt.

Important Considerations

• Program Variability: LRAPs vary in terms of funding, eligibility, and benefits. Some programs cover only federal student loans, while others may help with private student loans as well.
• Application Process and Good Standing Requirements: LRAPs often require annual applications and income verification, so be prepared to provide documentation each calendar year to remain eligible and in good standing.

Action Step: Reach out to your employer, state bar association, or law school’s financial aid office to learn about any LRAPs that may be available to you and how they may impact your remaining balance over time.

When Forgiveness Isn’t Practical

If student loan forgiveness doesn’t work for you—whether because of a high income, manageable federal loan balances, or having private loans—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. with a private lender could be a good option.

Here’s how refinancing can help you:

• Lower Interest Rate: Refinancing lets you reduce your interest rate based on your income, credit score, and loan balance, which can save you money and help you pay off the loan faster.
• Flexible Options: As your financial situation improves, you can refinance multiple times to keep lowering your interest rate and paying down the balance more quickly.

Example: Alex, a lawyer at a mid-size firm, refinanced his student loans twice. This helped him reduce his interest rate from 7% to 3%, saving significantly on interest over time.

Considerations: Refinancing federal loans means you’ll lose benefits like income-based repayment plans and deferment options. Be sure to compare rates and terms from different lenders to get the most savings.

Related: How to Refinance Student Loans

Bottom Line

Figuring out the best way to tackle your student loan debt isn’t easy, especially with all the options out there. Whether you’re in public service, private practice, or somewhere in between, the right strategy can make a big difference.

If you’re wondering which forgiveness path might actually work for you—or if refinancing is the way to go—let’s talk.

Book a consultation with one of our student loan forgiveness experts and get the clear, tailored advice you need to confidently move forward.

Related reading:

• Jobs that Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness
• Do Law Firms Offer Student Loan Forgiveness?
• How to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness
• Government Contractor Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
• Student Loan Forgiveness For Engineers: How to Get It