Firefighter Student Loan Forgiveness: How to Get It

Quick Facts

• If you work full-time for a government or nonprofit fire department, the Public Service Loan ForgivenessPublic 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 offers the most direct path to forgiveness.
• Volunteer firefighters typically don’t qualify for PSLF unless they also hold a paid position within a qualifying department.
• 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 cap your monthly payments based on your income and family size. These plans forgive the remaining balance after 20–25 years of consistent payments.

Overview

As a firefighter—whether you’re battling structural fires, wildland fires, or serving in other capacities—student loan debt can feel like an extra challenge on top of a demanding career. The good news? There are several programs that can help you manage or even eliminate your education loans.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Forgives your remaining loans after 120 qualifying payments working for federal, state, or local government agencies or nonprofit organizations.
• 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.: Caps your monthly payments based on your income and forgives the remaining balance after 20–25 years
• State-Based Repayment Assistance: Offers financial relief in certain states, especially for firefighters serving in underserved areas or rural communities.
• 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.: A great option for firefighters with private education loans or those not pursuing forgiveness programs.

This guide will show you all the available options you can use to reduce the stress that comes with student loans. With these solutions in hand, you can feel more at ease knowing there is a way forward.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Public Service Loan Forgiveness offers debt relief for public servants, particularly first responders such as firefighters, by forgiving remaining student loan balances after 10 years of qualifying payments under eligible conditions.

Here is a breakdown of the program:

• Employer: Your employer must be a government agency, such as a local fire department, emergency services, or a qualifying nonprofit. Refer to our PSLF Qualifying Employers Guide for details.
• Loan Type: Only Direct Loans qualify. If you have other types of federal student loans, you can consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan. Learn more in our Student Loan Consolidation Guide.
• Payment Plan: An IDR plan is usually the most effective way to reduce monthly payments and maximize forgiveness.
• Commitment: You’ll need to make 120 qualifying monthly payments, typically over 10 years of full-time service.

What Disqualifies Firefighters from PSLF?

One of the most common issues firefighters face with the PSLF program is not making enough qualifying paymentQualifying PaymentA monthly loan payment that counts toward federal forgiveness programs like PSLF or IDR forgiveness. Whether a payment qualifies depends on the loan type, the repayment plan, and the borrower's employment at the time of payment. (payments made under an IDR Plan). To qualify, you must make 120 payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer (nonprofit or government employers).

Lawyer’s Advice: From my experience handling cases like these, I’ve seen how important it is to submit the PSLF 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. every year. Missing this step, especially if you’ve changed jobs, can lead to gaps in your qualifying payments.

To help, you can check out all the necessary documents in our Forms and Application Guide and learn the steps on How to Apply for Forgiveness. And if you’d like personalized support, our student loan lawyers are here to help you create a solid plan to stay on track.

Do Volunteer Firefighters Qualify for PSLF?

Generally, volunteer firefighters do not qualify for the PSLF. The program is designed for individuals employed full-time by qualifying government or nonprofit organizations, and since volunteer firefighters typically don’t receive a salary, they don’t meet the program’s employment criteria.

Exceptions: Volunteer roles with programs like AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps may qualify participants for PSLF.

Additionally, volunteer firefighters work in combination departments that include both paid and volunteer personnel. If you hold a paid position within such a department and meet all other criteria—such as making 120 qualifying payments on Direct Loans—you may still be eligible for PSLF.

IDR Forgiveness

Income-Driven Repayment plans are a flexible option for firefighters who may not qualify for PSLF or other forgiveness programs. These plans tie your monthly payments to your income and family size not to your loan balance.

Here’s how IDR forgiveness works and how it applies to you:

• Eligibility for All Firefighters: Unlike PSLF, IDR forgiveness is available to firefighters regardless of whether they work in public service, private companies, or volunteer departments.
• Payment Cap: Student loan payments are based on a percentage of your 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..
• Extended Term: Repayment terms are extended to 20 or 25 years, depending on the plan and whether the loans were for undergraduate or graduate studies.

The U.S. Department of EducationU.S. Department of Education (ED)The federal agency that oversees federal student aid programs, issues regulations for federal student loans, and is the ultimate lender on Direct Loans. offered a limited-time IDR Waiver to help firefighters get closer to forgiveness. Although the waiver expired in June 2024, adjustments to borrowers’ accounts are expected to be completed by January 2025. You may still see adjustments reflecting your qualifying periods during this timeframe.

Related: Income-Based Repayment Forgiveness

Other Forgiveness and Repayment Options

PSLF and IDR forgiveness are the most common loan forgiveness programs for firefighters. But there are also programs available if you don’t meet their eligibility criteria.

• State-Based Student Loan Repayment Assistance Programs: Firefighters may take advantage of programs that help repay their federal and private student loans. For example, the California Firefighter Grant Program provides financial assistance to volunteer firefighters for training and education, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board offers a loan repayment assistance program for firefighters who commit to working in underserved areas.
• Total and Permanent Disability DischargeTotal 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.: If you become permanently disabled, you can have your federal loans discharged. You’ll need documentation from a physician, the VA, or Social Security Administration. Learn more in our TPD Discharge Guide.
• Perkins LoanPerkins LoanA low-interest federal student loan for borrowers with exceptional financial need, issued by schools under a now-discontinued program. New Perkins Loans have not been made since 2017, but many existing balances are still in repayment. Cancellation for Firefighters: If you have old Federal Perkins Loans, you might be eligible for loan cancellation. But, keep in mind that these loans typically don’t qualify for PSLF unless you consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Related: State-Based Loan Forgiveness Programs

Recent Updates to the PSLF Program

The Biden-Harris administration approved over $4.5 billion in forgiveness for more than 60,000 public service workers, adding to a total of $74 billion forgiven for over 1 million American borrowers. This relief has benefited countless professionals, including teachers, nurses, firefighters, and other public safety workers.

Related: Biden Student Loan Forgiveness

After the recent elections, Donald Trump’s return to political prominence has raised concerns about the future of the PSLF program. Historically, Trump has been against broad student loan forgiveness, sparking speculation about possible changes or even the program’s termination.

But, any major changes would need congressional approval, which makes immediate alterations unlikely. For the time being, firefighters and other public student loan borrowers should keep working towards forgiveness and stay updated on any program changes.

Related: Trump Wins – What Does That Mean for Student Loan Forgiveness?

Eligibility Requirements for Firefighters

Program

Requirements

1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness

2. IDR Forgiveness

Open to all firefighters; Payments based on discretionary income; Forgiveness after 20–25 years of qualifying payments.

3. State Repayment Assistance

Eligibility varies by state; Often targets underserved areas; May include both federal and private loans.

4. Total and Permanent Disability Discharge

Requires proof of permanent disability from VA, SSA, or a licensed physician; Applies only to federal student loans.

5. Perkins Loan Cancellation

When Refinancing Could Work for Firefighters

Refinancing student loans can be a smart option for firefighters in specific situations, particularly those with private student loanPrivate Student LoanA student loan issued by a bank, credit union, or other private lender rather than the federal government. Private loans generally lack federal protections like income-driven repayment and broad forgiveness programs. debts or those who aren’t pursuing federal forgiveness programs like PSLF.

Scenarios to Consider Refinancing:

• You Have Strong Income Compared to Debt: Refinancing may be beneficial if your income comfortably exceeds your debt obligations, allowing you to qualify for better interest rates.
• You Have a Stable Job: If you’re in a secure firefighter position with consistent income, refinancing could reduce your loan’s interest rates and save money over time.
• You Have Private Student Loans: Since private loans don’t qualify for forgiveness programs, refinancing may help you obtain more favorable terms, such as lower interest rates or shorter repayment periods.

If you’re not counting on PSLF or IDR forgiveness and have a strong income-to-debt ratio, refinancing can effectively manage your student debt faster and at a lower cost. Contact your private lender to know your options.

Related: Student Loan Refinance Guide.

Bottom Line

Firefighters have several options to manage or eliminate their student loan debt. Public Service Loan Forgiveness is the best choice for those working full-time for a government or nonprofit fire department. If you are ineligible for PSLF, IDR plans provide a path to forgiveness after 20–25 years of income-based payments.

If none of these qualify your situation, you can also apply for state-based repayment assistance programs. Refinancing can also be an alternative option to help lower interest rates and simplify repayment.

If you’re not sure where to begin, our student loan lawyers are here to guide you through the process and help you find the best path for your situation. Book a consultation today to get started.

Related reading:

• Student Loan Forgiveness Options for First Responders
• Nonprofit Employee Student Loan Forgiveness
• Student Loan Forgiveness for Government Employees
• Law Enforcement and Police Officers Student Loan Forgiveness
• Military Student Loan Forgiveness & Repayment Programs