Student Loan Forgiveness for Teachers
Every year the Texas Education Agency (TEA) submits a list of subject matter teacher shortage areas and a list of designated low-income schools to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Teachers with certain types of student loans may qualify for partial loan forgiveness, deferment or cancellation benefits.
Eligibility for these benefits depends on the type of loan the teacher has, the date of his/her first loan, and whether the teacher serves in a designated low-income school or subject matter teacher shortage area. Designated low-income schools are those with greater than 30% of enrolled students from low-income families in districts that are eligible for Title I funds. The economically disadvantaged status of a school does not ensure eligibility- please check to make sure your school is an eligible school: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/ed_init/PDF/SchoolSearch.pdf
Teacher Shortage Areas for the 2013-2014 School Year
- Bilingual/English as a Second Language
- Computer Science
- Languages Other Than English (Foreign Languages)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Special Education
U.S. Department of Education - Teacher Shortage Areas Nationwide Listing 1990 thru 2014 (outside source)
Loan Forgiveness Options - Teachers may apply for all four programs if the balance of their unpaid Federal student loans exceeds the forgiveness amount and if they meet the requirements. (Private loans are not eligible). If you are not sure what type of loan you have, it is recommended that you contact your lender.
- Teachers:
- Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness - applications (external link) should be mailed to your lender
- TEACH for Texas Loan Repayment Assistance
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Federal Perkins Loan Teacher Cancellation Must have a Federal Perkins loan; you can start the process at the beginning of your first eligible year of teaching service; and you must contact the University that provided you the loan.
- All School Staff (Public or Non Profit Private Schools)
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Federal Perkins Loan Cancellation for Special Education - You must have an official at the public or other nonprofit elementary or secondary school certify that you are teaching handicapped or learning disabled students, either on the Federal Perkins Loan postponement/cancellation form or on an official letter from the school bearing the school's seal or letterhead. For Perkins Loans made on or after July 23, 1992, this cancellation includes special education teachers.
If you provide one of the following services, you qualify as a teacher only if 1) you are licensed, certified, or registered by the appropriate state education agency for that area in which you are providing related special educational services, and 2) the services you provide are part of the educational curriculum for handicapped children:
- speech and language pathology and audiology;
- physical therapy;
- occupational therapy;
- psychological and counseling services; or
- recreational therapy.
Other Grant/Loan Resources
Join the Loan/Forgiveness/Deferment listserv to recieve updates and tips about the Loan Forgiveness options for Texas teachers.
If you have additional information that is not provided above please contact
or by phone at 512.936.2166 - Please do not call while you are teaching class.
Page last modified on 6/7/2013 04:40:24 PM.