What counts as a 'qualifying employer'?

Government organizations (federal, state, local, tribal) and 501(c)(3) nonprofits generally qualify; certain other nonprofits providing specific public services may also qualify. Check the official PSLF Help Tool on studentaid.gov to confirm your employer.

What repayment plans qualify?

Income-driven repayment plans, or the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan. Extended or graduated plans outside the 10-year Standard generally don't qualify unless later changed to a qualifying plan.

Do I need to work full-time?

Yes — PSLF generally requires full-time employment (defined by your employer's standard, or at least 30 hours/week) at a qualifying employer for payments made during that period to count.

What loan types qualify?

Direct Loans only. FFEL Program and Perkins Loans must be consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan first — and that consolidation can affect which of your prior payments still count.

Is this calculator connected to my real loan servicer?

No — it's a simple planning estimate based on numbers you enter. Your official qualifying-payment count comes only from your loan servicer via the PSLF Help Tool and certified employment history.

Does forbearance or deferment count toward my 120 payments?

Generally no, with limited exceptions (e.g., certain COVID-19 forbearance periods were credited) — check studentaid.gov for current exceptions, since this rule has changed over time.

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Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Estimator

Track progress toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness — payments remaining and estimated forgiveness date.

🔒 Runs entirely in your browser — nothing here is ever uploaded

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Last reviewed 2026-08-30

About the Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Estimator

Tracks progress toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — 120 qualifying monthly payments made while working full-time for a qualifying employer on a qualifying repayment plan — and estimates the remaining time and forgiveness date.

100% Free Runs in Your Browser No Sign-Up Required

How to use it

Enter how many qualifying payments you've made so far (0-120).
Optionally enter your typical monthly payment amount.
Read your payments remaining, progress, and estimated forgiveness date.

Formula

Payments remaining = 120 − qualifying payments made. Progress % = (payments made ÷ 120) × 100. Estimated forgiveness date = today + payments remaining, in months.

Worked example

60 qualifying payments made, $250 typical monthly payment: 60 payments remaining (50% progress), an estimated forgiveness date 5 years from today, and about $15,000 in remaining payment value.

Interpreting your result

This assumes every payment counted so far was, and every remaining payment will be, a genuine qualifying payment — made under a qualifying repayment plan (an income-driven repayment plan, or the 10-year Standard plan) on Direct Loans, while working full-time for a qualifying employer (government or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit). A gap in full-time qualifying employment, a non-qualifying repayment plan, or a non-Direct loan type can mean a payment doesn't actually count. The only authoritative count is your official PSLF tracker on studentaid.gov via the PSLF Help Tool and employer certification. Not financial or legal advice.

Recommendations

• Payments don't need to be consecutive — a period of non-qualifying employment doesn't reset your count, it just doesn't add to it.
• Submit the PSLF form annually (via the PSLF Help Tool) to have your employment certified and your qualifying-payment count officially tracked — don't wait until year 10 to find out if payments counted.
• Only Direct Loans qualify — FFEL or Perkins loans must first be consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan, and that consolidation can reset your payment count for the new loan.

Frequently asked questions

No — they just need to total 120 qualifying payments over time. A gap in qualifying employment doesn't erase payments you've already made, it just doesn't add new ones during the gap.