Consumer Alert: A.G. Underwood urges New Yorkers to apply for temporary expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Students previously turned down for PSLF may now qualify under new program; eligible students should apply for reconsideration before funding runs out
Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood issued a consumer alert to federal student loan borrowers about a new temporary expansion of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Under this PSLF expansion, borrowers who were turned down for PSLF Loan Forgiveness because some or all of their repayments were made through a non-qualifying repayment plan can now apply for reconsideration. For a limited time, the Department of Education will reconsider eligibility based on an expanded list of qualifying repayment plans.
“The PSLF Program rewards college graduates for pursuing careers in public service,” said Underwood. “Unfortunately, some students were previously turned away from the program because they were mistakenly enrolled in the wrong payment plan. I encourage those New Yorkers to apply for reconsideration right away.”
This opportunity for reconsideration, which the Department of Education is referring to as “Temporary Expanded PSLF” or “TEPSLF,” was made possible by a $350 million appropriation to the Department of Education from Congress. Eligible applicants will receive loan forgiveness on a first come, first served basis. Borrowers are encouraged to apply for reconsideration right away, because once the $350 million runs out, the opportunity to receive reconsideration will end.
Who is Eligible for Reconsideration under the Temporary Expanded PSLF?
To qualify for loan forgiveness under the temporary expansion of the program, a borrower must have done the following:
- Submitted the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Application for Forgiveness and had that application denied because some or all of the payments were not made under a qualifying repayment plan for PSLF;
- Worked at least 10 years of full-time employment with a qualifying employer, certified by the employer and approved by the Department;
- Made 120 qualifying monthly payments under the requirements for the expanded program, which include the Graduated Repayment Plan, Extended Repayment Plan, Consolidated Standard Repayment Plan, and Consolidated Graduated Repayment Plan.
How Can I Apply for Reconsideration under the Temporary Expanded PSLF?
Borrowers who believe they may qualify for reconsideration should email a request for reconsideration to TEPSLF@MyFedLoan.org. The request should include your name (the same name under which you submitted your PSLF application) and your date of birth.
For more information on the Temporary Expansion of PSLF, visit StudentAid.osssv/tepsflf.
For more information about PSLF eligibility requirements, visit https://ag.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-options.