I’ll start with the easy question, Tim. The 120 eligible payments do not have to be consecutive. Though I would also note PSLF was created in 2007, so time before it was created would not count.

The complicated question is about your income certifications and loan status. There is currently a lawsuit regarding the SAVE plan that has caused choas in all areas. If she was signed up for SAVE, it could explain the forbearance. Additionally, the Department of Education took over for MOHELA on the certification of PSLF payments and employment, and they are still trying to get caught back up on certifications.

Also, we used the 2022 window to switch my wife’s loan to a qualifying type with Mohela, and we submitted all of the PSLF paperwork to Mohela. I’ve also got a recording (with their knowledge) discussing all of this with Mohela’s rep. They seem to have lost all of this paperwork, and I’m not sure why but they put us in forebearance without asking. Is there any kind of class action lawsuit in process against Mohela based on their sabotage of this process?

I think I’ve got some really good news for you.

Typically, the loans are all treated separately. However, there are a couple temporary programs you should no about, because there is potentially an excellent opportunity for you this month.

This summer they are doing a one-time adjustment on IDR payment counts and the adjustments will also cover PSLF progress.

As a part of this adjustment, people who consolidate before the June 30th deadline receive a more generous formula for determining progress toward forgiveness. This article about the recent extention breaks things down.

That is a great question, unfortunately, time on an in-school deferment can’t be used to count toward PSLF. The upcoming one-time adjustment will give borrowers credit for some deferements and forbearances to count toward PSLF, but the time during school will not count.

Hi Connie,

Did you submit the Employer Certification form using the PSLF Help Tool?

What reason did they use to say you were not eligible?

I think I would need some more details to explain this situation and to help you identify if there was a mistake or what to do next.

This is a great question Peter.

Generally speaking, it is per loan. So as each loan hits 120 qualifying payments, it can get forgiven.

However, there is a one-time update that is happening on IDR and PSLF payment progress. If you consolidate your loans now, the new consolidated loan will get credit for the full payment history.