Can You Use Teacher Loan Forgiveness and Then PSLF? A Simple Guide for Teachers

FAQs

Do charter school teachers qualify for PSLF?
Many do, particularly if the charter is a government entity or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Confirm via the qualifying employers' examples.

Can I get TLF and still reach PSLF faster if I keep paying during those five years?
No. If you receive TLF for those years, payments made in that same five-year window won’t count toward PSLF.

What if my loans aren’t Direct Loans?
Consolidate FFEL/Perkins into a Direct Consolidation Loan so future payments qualify for PSLF. Review current consolidation rules and timing before you act.

What Each Program Does

Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF)

• Forgives up to $17,500 for “highly qualified” math, science, and special education teachers; most other teachers can get up to $5,000.
• Requires five complete, consecutive academic years at a low-income school or educational service agency.
• Applies to Direct and FFEL Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
• You apply after finishing the five years.
  
  

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

• Forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments (typically under an income-driven repayment plan) while working full-time for a qualifying public employer (most public schools, many charter schools, and other 501(c)(3) nonprofits).
  
• Only Direct Loans qualify; FFEL/Perkins need to be consolidated into a Direct Loan to count.

The Crucial Rule About “Stacking” TLF and PSLF

You can receive both TLF and PSLF across your career, but not for the same service period. If you receive TLF for your five-year teaching stint, payments made during those five years won’t count toward PSLF. Plan your path with that in mind.

Pick a Path: Quick Decision Guide

Consider leaning toward TLF first if:

• Your total debt is relatively low, and TLF could wipe out most or all of it.
• You’re unsure you’ll stay in public service for 10 years.
• You need a near-term win after five years.

Consider focusing on PSLF from Day 1 if:

• You have moderate-to-high balances that likely won’t be cleared by TLF.
• You’re comfortable committing to 10+ years in qualifying public service.
• You want every possible month to count toward the 120-payment goal.

Key implication: If you take TLF after five years, you’ll still need another full 120 payments for PSLF (because those first five years can’t be double-counted). If PSLF is your endgame, many teachers skip TLF, so every payment counts toward 120.

Strategy Tips for Teachers (Public & Charter)

1. Verify your employer qualifies for PSLF. Use the official employer search to confirm each school’s status—especially for charter networks. 
2. Get on an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan if you're aiming for PSLF, so your payments qualify and remain affordable.
3. Avoid unnecessary forbearances during your PSLF years. Months in forbearance don’t count toward the 120 payments, and if you’re pursuing TLF, you may have used forbearance with a “teacher forbearance” form—those months won’t help PSLF. 
4. Have FFEL/Perkins loans? Consolidate to Direct (timing matters) so future payments can count for PSLF. Check the latest rules before consolidating.
5. Certify employment yearly with the PSLF Help Tool so your qualifying payments are tracked as you go.
6. Check your school listing for TLF (low-income directory) and keep “consecutive, complete academic years” documentation tidy. 

Example Scenarios

• Lower balance (e.g., $12,000) + 5 years at a qualifying school:
  TLF might clear most/all of your debt in year 5. If anything remains and you keep working in public service, you can move to PSLF—but your 5 TLF years won’t count toward PSLF’s 120, so the PSLF clock starts after TLF.
  
• Higher balance (e.g., $60,000) + long-term public service plan:
  Skipping TLF and counting every payment toward PSLF may be more valuable, since PSLF forgives the entire remaining balance after 120 qualifying payments.

Bottom Line

• You can sequence TLF and PSLF over a career, but you can’t double-count the same five TLF years toward PSLF.
• If your balance is low, TLF can be a great near-term win.
• If your balance is high and you’ll stay in public service, maximizing PSLF from Day 1 often delivers the bigger benefit.

Note: Rules and processing timelines can change. Always confirm details on StudentAid.gov and with your loan servicer before making enrollment, consolidation, or application decisions.