Law Enforcement Student Loan Forgiveness: Top Programs

Quick Facts

• Police officers, corrections officers, and state troopers qualify for several law enforcement student loan forgiveness.
• 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 may cancel up to 100% of your loans after five years of qualifying service.
• If none of the forgiveness and loan repayment programs work for your situation, 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. your loans with a private lender could be a practical alternative.

Overview

A lot of law enforcement officers, like police officers, corrections officers, and state troopers, have large student loans because education and training can be super expensive. If that sounds like you, don’t worry—you might be able to get some of those loans forgiven through programs like 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. if you meet the rules.

Here’s what we’ll talk about:

• Which law enforcement jobs can get loan forgiveness
• How to check if your job and loans qualify
• The differences between PSLF, 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., and Perkins Loan Cancellation
• What to do if you have private student loans

Student loans can feel like a huge weight, but it doesn’t have to be so hard. We’ll break things down and show you how to start fixing it step by step.

Related: Do First Responders Get Student Loan Forgiveness?

Do Police Officers Get Student Loan Forgiveness?

Yes, police officers qualify for several student loan forgiveness programs. These programs aren’t just for police officers but also available to corrections officers, state troopers, and other public servants.

The most popular option is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This tax-free program completely erases your remaining balance as long as you meet its eligibility requirements.

But that’s not all. Some states offer their own loan forgiveness programs for police officers and the Federal Perkins Loan Cancellation program. This program can cancel up to 100% of your Perkins Loans after five years of eligible service.

One thing to watch out for is that not all loans automatically qualify for these programs. If you have FFEL or Perkins Loans, you might need to consolidate them into Direct Loans first.

3 Law Enforcement Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is particularly common among law enforcement members due to its specific eligibility criteria that align well with their employment. Most police officers and other similar roles work with a government organization and are considered qualified employers.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how you can qualify for PSLF:

• Qualifying Employer: You must be employed by a qualifying employer, which includes federal, state, local, or tribal government agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations that are recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Type of Loan: Only Federal Direct Loans are eligible for PSLF. If you have other federal loans, such as Stafford or Perkins Loans, you’ll need to consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan to qualify.
• Qualifying Repayment Plan: An 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. plan is generally the most advantageous route for law enforcement officers. Check your payment plan to see if you are already using the type of IDR plan.
• Commitment: Law enforcement officers can achieve forgiveness by making 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time, typically over 10 years. If you work part-time, the combined hours should total at least 30 or more per week.

Related: What Counts As a Government Employer for the PSLF Program?

Law Enforcement Agencies that Qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you work for any of these agencies, you can be confident that you qualify for the program. This includes federal enforcement roles such as:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• U.S. Marshals Service
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

You’re also eligible if you work for state police, highway patrol, investigative agencies, city police, county sheriff’s offices, municipal law enforcement, or tribal law enforcement agencies.

If your employer isn’t listed, you may still qualify if it’s a government or nonprofit organization. Use the PSLF Help Tool from 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. to confirm eligibility.

What Disqualifies a Law Enforcement from Public Service Loan Forgiveness?

Law enforcement officers who work in a private security firm or a for-profit prison—won’t be eligible for the program. For example, correctional officers working at for-profit facilities are specifically excluded from PSLF. This is due to the program’s nature, which requires only federal and non-profit employers to be qualified.

Another issue that disqualifies law enforcement officers for PSLF is not submitting 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) every year or whenever they switch jobs. If you fail to submit the form on time, it could delay your progress or even cause you to lose credit for qualifying payments.

The form below helps you recertify your employment.

Download Employment Certification Form

If you don’t know what to do or which program to take, you may contact us. Our student loan lawyers are always ready to hear about any student loan challenges you experience and are willing to give you the best actionable steps to move forward.

2. IDR Loan Forgiveness

These plans calculate monthly payments based on income and family size, making student loan repayment affordable. After 25 years of payment, your loans are automatically forgiven.

Here’s a breakdown of how this program works:

• Eligibility for Officers: Law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and others in public safety roles can qualify for IDR forgiveness, just like any other federal student loan borrower.
• Affordable Payments: IDR plans set your monthly student loan payments based on your income. Payments are capped at a small percentage of your discretionary income, which could mean lower monthly payments—or even $0 payments—if your salary is on the lower side.
• Long-Term Forgiveness: Depending on the repayment program you choose, 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., 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., or ICRIncome-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., your repayment term will last 20 or 25 years. After that, any remaining loan balance is forgiven.

If you are confused with this option and PSLF, I advise taking PSLF if all requirements are met. It is the fastest forgiveness program that can completely eliminate your student loans.

Of course, if you don’t qualify for it, we can’t magically make it happen. Instead, you can choose this IDR forgiveness program, which is advantageous if you are looking for a plan that helps your monthly student loans payments.

Related: Income-Based Repayment Forgiveness

3. Perkins Loan Forgiveness

Law enforcement personnel can qualify for Perkins Loan cancellation if they serve full-time as qualifying law enforcement or corrections officers.

You can receive a 15% cancellation for your first and second years of service. The percentage increases to 20% for the third and fourth years of service. And for your fifth year, you are qualified for 30% cancellation.

• Eligibility: The officer’s employer must confirm that the officer is eligible, and their role must be considered essential to the agency’s main purpose. This typically means the officer is a sworn law enforcement or police officer with duties specific to the criminal justice system.
• Loan Type: The program only applies to Perkins Loans issued before September 30, 2017, when the program ended.

It is quite rare to have Perkins Loans today, especially now that servicers have stopped issuing them. But if you still have them, contact the school that originally issued the loan or the student loan servicerLoan ServicerThe company that manages a borrower's federal student loan account, processes payments, and handles applications for repayment plans, deferment, forbearance, and forgiveness on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. to verify if there are other things you need to comply with.

Take note that Perkins loans can be consolidated into direct loans, which qualifies you for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. If you need help deciding which to take, we are just one call away to give you the best student loan forgiveness advice.

How To Apply for Law Enforcement Student Loan Forgiveness

Follow this process to apply for student loan forgiveness through PSLF, IDR forgiveness, or Perkins Loan Cancellation:

1. Check your eligibility. For PSLF, you need to work full-time for a government or qualifying nonprofit employer and have Direct Loans. IDR forgiveness applies after 20-25 years of payments under an Income-Driven Repayment plan. For Perkins Loan Cancellation, full-time service in a law enforcement role for five years qualifies.
2. Know your loan type. Log in to your Federal Student Aid account to see your loans. For PSLF and IDR forgiveness, consolidate ‌Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) or Perkins Loans into a Direct LoanDirect LoanA federal student loan made directly by the U.S. Department of Education under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Most federal student loans issued since 2010 are Direct Loans. if needed. For Perkins Loan Cancellation, consolidation isn’t required.
3. Right repayment option. PSLF and IDR forgiveness require an IDR plan or the standard 10-year repayment plan. Perkins Loan Cancellation doesn’t depend on a repayment plan but on years of service.
4. Certify your employment. Submit an Employment Certification Form each year or when you change jobs to confirm your employer qualifies. For Perkins Loan Cancellation, your employer will certify your service when you apply.
5. Apply when you’re eligible. Use the PSLF Help Tool for PSLF after completing 120 payments. IDR forgiveness is automatic once you finish the required time. For Perkins Loan Cancellation, contact your loan servicer to apply.

We’ve written a clear and easy guide on how to apply for student loan forgiveness. Check it out to learn about all the programs offered by the federal government to help with student loans.

How Long Do Law Enforcement Officers Have To Work To Get Student Loan Forgiveness?

Police officers can work for just 5 years or up to 25 years to get debt relief, depending on the program they take. Here’s a quick overview:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Law enforcement officers must work full-time for a qualifying employer for 10 years, which translates to making 120 qualifying monthly payments.
• IDR Forgiveness: Your remaining balance on loans is forgiven after making qualifying payments for either 20 years or 25 years, depending on the specific IDR plan chosen.
• Perkins Loan Cancellation: Full-time police officers can qualify for up to 100% cancellation of their Perkins Loans after completing 5 years of eligible service.

The length of time isn’t the only factor to consider—it’s all about meeting the program’s specific requirements.

Each program has different eligibility rules, so double-check that you qualify before applying. This way, you can avoid unnecessary hassles and get the most out of these student loan forgiveness benefits.

Other Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Options

If you don’t qualify for the top law enforcement forgiveness programs, you still have alternative options to tackle your student loan debt. Here’s what to consider:

• First Responder Loan Forgiveness Programs: These programs provide financial relief to those who serve the public in emergency situations. First responder programs are often state-run or regionally based, and eligibility criteria can vary.
• 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.): Law enforcement officers who cannot work due to a permanent disability can have their federal student loans forgiven completely. Eligibility can be established through a 100% disability rating from the VA Department, receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or certification from a licensed medical professional.
• 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. Program: If you work in an educational setting as part of your law enforcement duties—such as school resource officers or those involved in training programs—you can have up to $17,500 of your loans forgiven.

Many states offer their own loan repayment assistance programs tailored for law enforcement officers. For example:

• Texas Peace Officer Loan Repayment Assistance Program: Provides up to $20,000 over five years for eligible officers who have completed at least one year of service and meet educational requirements. Other states may have similar programs aimed at attracting and retaining law enforcement personnel in high-need areas
• FBI Loan Repayment Assistance Program: Offers up to $10,000 per year in loan repayment assistance, with a maximum of $60,000 over six years for FBI agents

Related: State Programs For Student Loan Forgiveness

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. Help

Most student loan forgiveness offered by 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. only applies to federal loans. If you have a private student loan, here are your options:

1. Refinancing: You could use a new loan to refinance your current private loans. This might get you a lower interest rate or better terms, making your monthly payments more affordable. Learn more about How to Refinance your Student Loans.
2. Deferment and Forbearance: Both options let you temporarily pause your payments if you’re having financial trouble. With deferment, you can stop payments for a while if you meet specific conditions, like being unemployed or facing financial hardship. With forbearance, you can pause payments, but interest will keep adding up while you’re not paying.
3. Negotiate a Settlement: If your loans are in 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., you might be able to work out a deal with your lender to settle the debt for less than you owe, usually by paying a lump sum. Learn how Student Loan Debt Settlement Works.
4. Bankruptcy: Private student loans discharged through bankruptcy is tough, but it’s not impossible if you can prove “ undue hardship.” Even if the loans aren’t wiped out, bankruptcy might help you reorganize other debts to free up money for payments.

Figuring out the right forgiveness program or repayment plan can feel confusing with so many options out there. It’s totally normal to feel unsure about what to choose.

Many law enforcement officers we know tried to handle the process on their own, but mistakes happen, and that can make getting debt relief take even longer.

If you’d rather not deal with stress, let us handle it for you. We’ll handle the hard stuff so you can focus on what really matters in your life.

Bottom Line

If you’re a police officer, corrections officer, or state trooper working for the government or a nonprofit, you might be able to get your student loans forgiven with programs like PSLF, IDR forgiveness, or Perkins Loan Cancellation.

If you’re not sure if you qualify or how to get started, don’t worry—we’ve got your back.

Book a consultation with one of our student loan experts, sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll help you figure it all out step by step.

Related reading:

• Student Loan Forgiveness for Government Employees
• Military Student Loan Forgiveness Programs You Can Receive
• Veteran Student Loan Forgiveness
• Firefighter Student Loan Forgiveness
• Student Loan Forgiveness for Military Spouses