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Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Calculating your student loans, A golden piggy bank with a grad hat on a calculator with word loans over a distressed wood background

The federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program provides debt relief to government employees, teachers, nurses, firefighters, and others serving their communities. The goal of the program is to reduce the burden of student debt on public servants, making it possible for many borrowers to stay in their jobs, and enticing others to work in high-need fields.

Human Resources assists employees with applying for the program by verifying that they have been employed by Pinellas County for at least 10 years. It is recommended that you certify your employment every year and any time you change employers.

To learn more about the program, see Federal Student Aid’s website on Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Eligibility

  • Pinellas County employees with at least 10 years of service may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program which forgives the remaining balance on direct student loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under an approved repayment plan.
  • The 10 years of employment and payments do not have to be consecutive.
  • The U.S. Department of Education determines eligibility.

Form Request (NEW)

Upon request, Human Resources will verify the employment information on your Public Service Loan Forgiveness form. Specifically, our staff will verify the employment start date in Section 4: Employer Information and complete Section 5A: Employer Certification. The program has a new help tool to assist you with completing the form. Here are the steps to follow:

  • IMPORTANT: You need your Employer Identification Number (EIN) to complete the form. Locate the number on your most recent W-2. You can view your W-2’s in OPUS if you opted in to electronic W-2 access. If you do not have a W-2 or need help, contact HR by emailing onboarding@pinellas.gov or calling (727) 464-3367, option 2.
  • Visit the Federal Student Aid website.
  • Log in to your account to start the form using the PSLF Help Tool.
  • Follow the steps to complete the form.
  • When prompted, send the form to HR at onboarding@pinellas.gov for our team to verify your employment.
  • You will receive an email notification when HR completes the form.
  • Your form will automatically be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education.
  • To check the status of your form, log into the Federal Student Aid website.

Questions

For questions on the program or form, visit Public Service Loan Forgiveness or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 433-3243.

12/27/23