REGION — The federal government may forgive all or part of teachers’ and nurses’ federal student loans if they meet certain requirements. The forgiveness options, according to Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), include:
- Teacher loan forgiveness. To qualify, you must teach at least five full years in a low-income school in an eligible district. Depending on your field, you may have up to $17,500 in student loans forgiven. For complete details, visit ed.gov.
- Nursing loan forgiveness. You must be at least a registered nurse and agree to work full time for at least two years in a critical shortage facility. If you fulfill your agreement, 60 percent of your loan balance will be forgiven. Another 25 percent will be forgiven if you work a third year. Nurses teaching at an accredited school of nursing may also qualify. For complete details, visit https://bhw.hrsa.gov.
One thing to remember is that the Internal Revenue Service counts the amount forgiven as income. You should talk with a tax professional to understand the impact it may have on your taxes.
KHEAA is a public, non-profit agency established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents. KHEAA also helps colleges manage their student loan default rates and verify information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more about those services, visit kheaa.com.
