Student Loan Forgiveness Calculator
Estimate your forgiveness timeline through IDR or PSLF
Step 1 – Interactive Input Prompt
Step A – Your Loan & Repayment Plan
Step B – Household & Income Info
Step C – PSLF Case (Optional)
More Helpful Tools
Who This Tool Helps (Eligibility)
Creditworthy single mothers (Head of Household filing status with at least one dependent)
Federal Direct Loan borrowers — only Direct Loans are eligible for forgiveness; FFEL or Perkins loans must first be consolidated.
Explore all forgiveness paths: All IDR plans: SAVE, PAYE, IBR, or ICR (20–25 years forgiveness) and PSLF if working full-time for a qualifying employer (federal/state/local government, 501(c)(3) nonprofit)—after 120 on-time monthly payments.
How It Works — Formulas & Logic
Monthly Payment Estimate (IDR Plans)
For SAVE/PAYE:
$IDR \text{ Payment} = \frac{\text{Discretionary Income} \times \text{plan percent}}{12}$
Where $\text{Discretionary Income} = \text{AGI} - (150\% \text{ Federal Poverty Level for HOH})$
Forgiveness Deadline
20 years (240 payments) if only undergraduate loans; 25 years if any graduate loans, or if IBR requires more.
PSLF Path
When qualifying employment and repayment plan align, any balance after 120 certified payments is federal‑tax‑free forgiven. Remaining loans are wiped, not counted as taxable income. Extra payments can reduce total paid interest but do not reduce the 120-payment count.
FAQ
Only Direct PLUS loans you borrowed personally can count under ICR/PSLF; parent PLUS loans for your child must be consolidated and become Direct Consolidation Loans to qualify.
Yes—you must annually recertify income and household size—even if they don't change. Otherwise, your network or payment amount may increase.
No: federal forgiveness under PSLF or IDR is not taxed. However, some states tax forgiven balances—check state law.
Official Sources for This Calculator
Income-Driven Repayment plans & forgiveness rules — on StudentAid.gov.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness — official PSLF program rules on StudentAid.gov.