More than 1,100 student loan borrowers in Alaska approved for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

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Monday, May 8, 2023 at 8:49 PM

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Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - To mark Public Service Recognition Week, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced it has approved nearly 616,000 borrowers nationwide for approximately $42 billion in Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) since October 2021.

PSLF covers public employees—such as teachers, firefighters, and members of law enforcement, as well as those who work for a non-profit organization—in a variety of fields by forgiving the remaining federal student loan balance for those who make the required 120 qualifying monthly payments.

Between October 2021 and May 2023, the Department has approved more than 1,100 borrowers in Alaska for more than $72 million in loan forgiveness under temporary changes the Biden-Harris Administration made to the PSLF Program, which is nearly $63,000 per borrower.

“Since Day One, the Biden-Harris Administration has worked relentlessly to fix a broken student loan system, including by making sure we fulfill the promise of Public Service Loan Forgiveness for those who have spent a decade or more serving our communities and our country,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

“To date, the Biden-Harris team has kept that promise for more than 615,000 teachers, nurses, social workers, service members, and other public servants by approving a combined $42 billion in student loan debt forgiveness. The difference that Public Service Loan Forgiveness is making in the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans reminds us why we must continue doing everything we can to fight for borrowers and why families cannot afford to have progress derailed by partisan politicians. During Public Service Recognition Week—and every week—we thank all those who serve our communities.”

Public Service Recognition Week celebrates individuals who serve the United States and local communities as employees of federal, state, local, or tribal government.

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