Comments on: PSLF Alert: Don’t Leave Your Eligible Job Until After Your Loans are Forgiven

By: Michael P. Lux, Esq.

Michael P. Lux, Esq. — Sat, 11 May 2024 18:00:55 +0000

In reply to John Gough. I'd encourage you to submit a PSLF Employer Certification form using the PSLF Help Tool on studentaid.gov. The worst they can do is deny your application. That said, borrowers are required to still be employed with the PSLF employer at the time they apply for forgiveness. Given how long you have been in repayment, you might also qualify for IDR forgiveness. The one-time adjustment may also help in your journey toward IDR forgiveness.

By: John Gough

John Gough — Fri, 10 May 2024 11:58:19 +0000

I retired from USPS in 2022, after 38 years. We did make the required 120 month payments , many times over. I am not able to work at another job with a PSLF requirement. Is there hope I may still get relief?

By: Michael P. Lux, Esq.

Michael P. Lux, Esq. — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:42:51 +0000

In reply to Kim. I'd think that with a letter and balances that show $0 you are safe. Credit reporting only happens once per month, so it is normal for there to be a bit of a delay on the credit report showing forgiveness.

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 17:56:12 +0000

I have the letter and my balances both reflect $0 on Mohela and Studentaid.gov. The balances are still on my credit report and it has been 90 days. Am I free to move onto a non PSLF job? Should I wait for it to change on my credit report? I did file a dispute with the credit agencies as well. I am hesitant as my trust in this system isn’t good… haha. Anyone with experience with this? Is that letter my ultimate proof?
Thanks for any insight.

By: Holly

Holly — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:35:28 +0000

In reply to Michael P. Lux, Esq.. Thank you so much for your response!!! Wish I would've found this website 10 years ago lol.

By: Michael P. Lux, Esq.

Michael P. Lux, Esq. — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 19:17:00 +0000

In reply to Holly. Great question Holly! The extra requirement is that you be in a PSLF-eligible job at the time you apply and at the time forgiveness is granted. From the sounds of things, forgiveness has already been granted, you are just waiting for the official letter documenting that you earned forgiveness. If it were me, I'd feel better if I had that letter in hand. However, given that you are on a tight time crunch, you've seemingly met all of the requirements, and the MOHELA rep has told you that it is safe to move on, moving on to the new job seems like the best move. I'd hate to see you miss out on that opportunity because of a delay in mailing a letter. Congrats on earning forgiveness and on the new gig!

By: Holly

Holly — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 18:57:37 +0000

Hi there,
I have been diligent for 10 years in sending in all of my paperwork for PSLF, and I recently logged into my MOHELA account and studentaid.gov account which both show that my account is in good standing and at $0. Now I’m just awaiting the official PSLF letter, but I have a potential job offer on the line. I’ve called MOHELA and got mixed answers on how long it would take to receive the letter (one said 14 business days after discharge and go to my electronic inbox, one said 30-45 calendar days after discharge and the letter will absolutely come in the mail). The second person also stated that I am safe to move on to a for-profit job, and made a note on my account. Do I really have to wait for the letter, or is it safe to move on and accept a new job (which would start in 30 days or so)?

By: Michael P. Lux, Esq.

Michael P. Lux, Esq. — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 13:05:55 +0000

In reply to Paula Browning.

First, congrats on earning a loan discharge. And thank you for your many years of public service!

It sounds like you are in the clear and safe to explore other jobs. They do mail/email a letter saying that your loans have been forgiven under PSLF. If you haven’t gotten a copy of that yet, I’d want to have that in my possession before I changed jobs, but once the loans have been discharged, there are no ongoing requirements.

I think the “remain for X amount of time” requirement that you saw was probably in reference to the fact that you needed to be in your PSLF job at the time of the application and the discharge. For some borrowers, that means a few extra months on the job.

By: Paula Browning

Paula Browning — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 12:25:22 +0000

Thank you for this information. Just one clarifying question…my loans have been forgiven (about 2 months ago or so) but I thought I read somewhere that I needed to remain at my qualifying job for “X” amount of time after the forgiveness was granted. I’m not finding that information now and I am thinking of changing my employment, just don’t want to create any issues. I have received the refund and Mohela considers my accounts closed at this time. Thank you!

By: Michael P. Lux, Esq.

Michael P. Lux, Esq. — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 23:05:07 +0000

In reply to Suzie. That's a good question. The CFR says that it has to be full-time employment for all 120, at the time of application, and at the time of forgiveness.