Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for Nurses
Learn how nurses qualify for PSLF, which employers count, key program rules, common scenarios, and what proposed 2025 changes could mean for eligibility.
Nurses qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) if they work for a government or nonprofit employer. Your job title doesn’t determine eligibility — your employer does. That means a nurse at a nonprofit hospital or public health department may qualify, while a nurse at a for-profit hospital or private practice will not.
Which Employers Make Nurses Eligible for 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.?
To qualify for PSLF, nurses must be directly employed by one of the following:
- Government employers: federal, state, or local facilities, including Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals
- Nonprofit employers: hospitals or clinics with qualifying 501(c)(3) status (not all nonprofits automatically qualify)
- Tribal health organizations: federally recognized entities
- Public health departments: providing community services
Not eligible: jobs at for-profit hospitals, staffing agencies, or private practices.
Related: PSLF Eligible Employers
Common PSLF Scenarios for Nurses
Borrowers often ask how PSLF applies to specific nursing jobs. Here are the most common situations:
Does HCA qualify for PSLF?
No. HCA Healthcare is a for-profit company, so jobs there are not eligible for PSLF.
Do travel nurses qualify for PSLF?
Sometimes. Travel nurses qualify only if they are directly employed by a government or nonprofit organization. Jobs through for-profit staffing agencies do not qualify.
Do nurse practitioners qualify for PSLF?
Yes. Nurse practitioners may qualify if their employer is a government or nonprofit entity. Like registered nurses, eligibility depends on the employer — not the role.
Do nurses get loan forgiveness after 10 years?
Yes. Nurses may qualify for PSLF forgiveness after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under an 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. plan while working full-time for an eligible employer. Payments don’t need to be consecutive but must be certified with Employment Certification Forms (ECFs). To understand how this is calculated, see PSLF payments explained.
Does PSLF cover private student loans for nurses?
No. PSLF applies only to federal Direct Loans. Private student loans are not eligible, even if you work for a nonprofit or government employer. Nurses with private debt should consider 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. or state-based loan repayment programs as alternatives.
Related: Does Kaiser Qualify for PSLF?
PSLF Rules Nurses Must Meet
Nurses must follow the same PSLF program requirements as other borrowers:
- Loan type: Only federal Direct Loans qualify. Other loans—such as FFEL or Perkins—must be consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan before payments count. See which loans and repayment plans qualify for PSLF.
- Repayment plan: You must enroll in an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan, which sets your payment based on income and family size.
- Payments: You must make 120 qualifying on-time monthly payments while working for a qualifying employer.
- Work hours: You must work full-time—at least 30 hours per week or your employer’s full-time standard, whichever is greater.
- Certification: Submit an Employment Certification FormEmployment Certification Form (ECF)The federal form used to certify qualifying employment for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Borrowers submit the form to their servicer to have qualifying payments counted toward PSLF. (ECF) each year to confirm your employer’s eligibility.
If something goes wrong with your payment count or certification, you may need to fix PSLF mistakes such as buyback, waivers, or refunds.
Related: How to Apply & Certify for PSLF
Changes to PSLF Rules Under Review
In March 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing the Department of Education to revise PSLF rules. In August 2025, the Department proposed new regulations that would exclude certain employers if they are found to have a substantial illegal purpose, such as violating state or federal law. These changes are still proposals — they must go through public comment, legal challenges, and further review before becoming final.
What’s at risk for nurses:
- Nurses remain eligible if they work for a qualifying government or nonprofit employer.
- Risk arises if your employer is later excluded under the new rules. In that case, future payments made while working there would not count toward PSLF.
- Past payments already certified would remain valid under current proposals.
Related Resources
We read every rating and use it to decide what to rewrite, expand, or retire. No personal data is attached — just the article and your thumbs.
Still have questions?
Get personalized help with your loans
Tell us your situation and a member of our team will reply with a plan — or point you to the right free tool. No login, no payment.