A special waiver announced last fall by the U.S. Department of Education means that student loan borrowers may receive credit for payments that previously did not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

In the PSLF program, the remaining balance on direct loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employee. Work for congregations and new worshiping communities, mid councils, and denominational agencies, camps and conference facilities in the past 10 years may now qualify.

“But time is of the essence,” says Mel Tubb, associate for loan repayment assistance in the Presbyterian Mission Agency. “Even if you’ve been declined before you might find that you can receive debt forgiveness now – or in fewer number of years than you thought possible.”

Tubb and Ruth Adams, director of the Minister Education Debt Education Assistance Program at the Board of Pensions, are both quoted in a May 5, 2022 article by Paul Seebeck of the Presbyterian News Service about resources to help PC(USA) employees and ministers navigate loan forgiveness opportunities.

The article highlights a free online seminar at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2022 hosted by PeopleJoy, a student loan advising and counseling service that specializes in student loan debt. Click here to register for the seminar.

While notice about the webinar was distributed late and some people may not be able to join the conversation, a recording may be posted by the Presbyterian Mission Agency for reference. Click here to watch clips from a previous PeopleJoy webinar led Kevin Parath.

Information about how to navigate the PSLF program also may be found via the EdAssist program offered by the  Board of Pensions. Those resources may include individuals being connected with PeopleJoy advisors for hands-on help navigating the document production and submission required for the PSLF.