AttendingFi · Free tool

PSLF eligibility checker

Answer five quick questions to see whether you’re on track for Public Service Loan Forgiveness — which of the four core requirements you meet, what’s missing, roughly how many qualifying payments remain, and the single most important next step. Free, no login. Estimates only; confirm at studentaid.gov.

1. What type of student loans do you have?

2. Who is (or will be) your employer? PSLF is about employer type, not your job

3. Do you work full-time (at least 30 hours/week)?

4. Which repayment plan are you on?

5. Qualifying payments made so far optional, 0–120

Current federal balance optional

Educational estimate based on the 2026 PSLF rules — not financial advice. Confirm your specifics with the PSLF Help Tool at studentaid.gov.

How PSLF eligibility is scored

PSLF has four core requirements that must all be true for a month to count toward your 120: federal Direct Loans, a government or 501(c)(3) nonprofit employer, full-time work (30+ hrs/week, combinable across qualifying employers), and an income-driven repayment plan. This checker scores each at 25 points. Some gaps are hard blockers (private loans, a for-profit or 1099 employer); others are fixable (FFEL loans you can consolidate, a standard plan you can switch). After 120 qualifying payments, your remaining balance is forgiven tax-free.

Want the dollar figure? Model your exact payoff, forgiveness, and tax across every plan with the student loan repayment calculator, and see the deeper rules in how PSLF works for physicians and what counts as a qualifying employer.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for PSLF?

You qualify for PSLF if you have federal Direct Loans, work full-time (30+ hrs/week) as a W-2 employee of a government or 501(c)(3) nonprofit employer, and repay on an income-driven plan. After 120 qualifying payments your remaining balance is forgiven tax-free.

Does this checker confirm my employer qualifies?

It tells you whether your employer type generally qualifies (government and 501(c)(3) nonprofits do; for-profit employers and 1099/contractor arrangements do not). Always confirm your specific employer with the official PSLF Help Tool at StudentAid.gov.

How many payments do I need for PSLF?

120 qualifying monthly payments, about 10 years. They don't have to be consecutive, and residency/fellowship months at a qualifying employer count.

My loans are FFEL or Perkins — can I still get PSLF?

Not directly, but you can become eligible by consolidating them into a Direct Consolidation Loan first. Consolidating resets the qualifying-payment count on those loans, so do it early.

AttendingFi is an educational resource and does not provide individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. PSLF eligibility ultimately depends on the official determination by the U.S. Department of Education; verify with the PSLF Help Tool at studentaid.gov.