For Informational Purposes Only
Calculator results are estimates based on simplified models and user-provided inputs. They do not constitute financial advice, a financial plan, or a guarantee of any outcome. Consult a licensed financial advisor, your pension administrator, or your loan servicer before making financial decisions. Full legal disclaimer →
PSLF Calculator
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eliminates remaining federal student loan balances after 120 qualifying payments while working for a government or nonprofit employer. This calculator projects your forgiveness timeline and estimated amount forgiven.
Your Loan Profile
Use your annual gross income from your most recent tax return
5% of discretionary income (graduate loans), 10% (undergrad)
Enter 0 if you are just starting
Loan Balance Over 10 Years
PSLF vs. Standard 10-Year Repayment
Standard Repayment
$140,250
Total paid over 10 years
With PSLF
$36,205
Total paid, then forgiven
Estimated PSLF savings: $104,045
The 4 Requirements for PSLF
Federal Direct Loans
Only federal Direct Loans qualify. If you have FFEL or Perkins loans, you must consolidate into a Direct Consolidation Loan first. Private loans do not qualify.
Income-Driven Repayment Plan
You must be enrolled in an IDR plan: SAVE, IBR, PAYE, or ICR. Standard repayment does not count toward PSLF.
Qualifying Employer
You must work full-time (30+ hours/week) for a government agency (federal, state, local, tribal) or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. CDCR, VA, military, and most public hospitals qualify.
120 Qualifying Payments
You must make 120 on-time, full payments while meeting all three requirements above. Payments do not need to be consecutive. That's 10 years of qualifying employment.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. Actual PSLF eligibility, payment amounts, and forgiveness amounts depend on your specific loan servicer, repayment plan enrollment, and employer certification. Always verify your eligibility through StudentAid.gov and consult a certified student loan advisor for personalized guidance.
Explore More Financial Tools
Combine PSLF with our ClearPath Budget Calculator and Loan Strategies guide for a complete financial picture.