
To apply for student loan forgiveness in New York, you'll need to meet the eligibility requirements, which include working in a qualifying public service job, such as teaching, healthcare, or social work.
The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is responsible for administering the state's student loan forgiveness program, which offers up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness for eligible borrowers.
You can apply for student loan forgiveness through the HESC website, where you'll need to submit an application and provide documentation, including proof of employment and loan information.
The application process typically takes several months to complete, and you'll need to reapply annually to continue receiving loan forgiveness benefits.
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Eligibility and Income Limits
To be eligible for the New York student loan forgiveness program, your income can't exceed $50,000 a year.
You'll also need to have a bachelor's degree or less at the time of applying, as loans taken out during graduate school are typically excluded.
Not all student loans qualify for the state relief, so it's essential to check the type of loan you have.
Eligibility Limits by Income
If your income exceeds $50,000 a year, you're not eligible for the program.
Your income is calculated using your adjusted gross income, which is a key factor in determining your eligibility.
The state relief program is designed to help those who need it most, so higher-income individuals are excluded.
To qualify, your income must be $50,000 or less, making it essential to review your financial situation before applying.
District Attorney and Indigent Services Attorney
If you're a District Attorney or Indigent Services Attorney in New York, you might be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the NYS District Attorney and Indigent Legal Services Attorney Loan Forgiveness (DALF) Program.
The total award available is $20,400, which is a significant amount of money that can help you pay off your student loans.
To qualify, you must be a resident of New York and have worked as a District Attorney, Assistant District Attorney or Indigent Legal Services Attorney for a total of four years.
You can receive $3,400 per year for up to six years, with a maximum of $20,400 in student loan repayment assistance.
You must be in good standing on your student loans to qualify for the loan forgiveness awards.
Payment Relief Options
If you're struggling to make ends meet, there are payment relief options available to help. You can temporarily suspend payments on your student loans through forbearance, which can last up to 3 years.
Forbearance is a temporary solution that can give you a break from making payments, but it's essential to note that interest will still accrue during this time. This means your balance will increase, and you'll need to pay more in the long run.
If you're experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for a deferment, which can also suspend payments for a specific period. Deferment is available for students who are enrolled in school at least half-time, have a disability, or are serving in the military.
Deferment can last up to 3 years, and interest won't accrue during this time, which is a big plus. However, you'll still need to pay back the interest after the deferment period ends.
Consider reading: How Often Does Interest Accrue on a Student Loan
Income-driven repayment plans can also help make payments more manageable. These plans adjust your monthly payment based on your income and family size. There are four types of income-driven plans available in New York: Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR).
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Specific Professional Incentives
If you're a New York resident working in a public service job, you may be eligible for forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after 120 qualifying payments.
Teachers in New York can also take advantage of the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives up to $17,500 of your loans if you've taught full-time for five consecutive years in a low-income school or in a subject area where there's a shortage of qualified teachers.
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Regents Physician Award
The Regents Physician Award is a fantastic incentive for physicians in New York state. It offers up to $10,000 in student loan repayment assistance each year.
To be eligible, you must be a resident of New York state and licensed in New York. You also need to have completed your residency within the last five years.
This program is a great way to help pay down your education loan.
Nursing Faculty Incentive

If you're a nursing faculty member in New York, you might be eligible for up to $8,000 per year in student loan repayment assistance through the NYS Nursing Faculty Loan Forgiveness (NFLF) Incentive Program.
The total award available is $40,000, which can be earned over five years of qualifying service. To qualify, you must be a resident of New York for the last year and be licensed to practice nursing in New York.
You'll also need to have clinical experience and a master's or doctoral degree relevant to nursing. Additionally, you must have at least 12 credit hours as an adjunct clinical faculty or nursing faculty when you apply and be in good standing with your loans.
To be eligible for the program, your student loans must have been disbursed on or after January 1, 2001, and can be federal or private, so long as they were used for a nursing degree.

Here are the basic requirements to qualify for the program:
Young Farmers Incentive
You can receive $10,000 per year, for a maximum of $50,000, in student loan repayment assistance through The New York State Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program.
To qualify, you must be a resident of New York for the past year and have an undergraduate degree from a New York state college.
You'll need to agree to operate a farm on a full-time basis for a total of five years and be in good standing on your student loan repayment to qualify for the loan forgiveness awards.
Eligible candidates must have graduated within the last two years and will need to sign a Service Contract to commit to operating a farm for five years.
The total award available is $50,000.
Child Welfare Worker Incentive
If you're considering a career in child welfare, you might be eligible for up to $50,000 in loan forgiveness through the NYS Child Welfare Worker Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program.

To qualify, you must have obtained your degree from a college in New York and have been a resident for the past year. You'll also need to apply within two years of college graduation.
The program will provide up to $10,000 per year for five years, but you'll need to sign a Service Contract promising to work at an approved site full-time for five years.
The Teacher Heading
Up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness is available through the NYS Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.
You must be certified in New York and be a current resident of the state to qualify.
You'll need to be employed full-time at an elementary or secondary public school.
To qualify, you must teach in specific subject areas.
You must be in good standing with your student loan debt repayment, making qualifying payments and not in default.
Licensed Social Worker
As a Licensed Social Worker, you'll have the opportunity to work with diverse populations and address complex social issues.
You'll need to complete a master's degree program in social work, which typically takes two years to complete.
The American Board of Certified Social Workers (ABCSW) is the primary certifying body for social workers in the United States.
To become certified, you'll need to pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing exam.
This exam is a comprehensive assessment of your knowledge and skills in areas like human behavior, social welfare policy, and research methods.
Additional reading: How Does Student Debt Forgiveness Work
Application and Relief
If you're a teacher or work in a health-related field, you may qualify for debt forgiveness in NY. You can also consider federal loan forgiveness options.
There are federal programs such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) or student loan forgiveness under income-driven repayment (IDR) to help clear away federal student loan debt.
You may still qualify for debt relief from the federal government based on President Biden's cancellation announcement, however it's currently in limbo.
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Apply for NY Student Relief
If you're a teacher or work in a health-related field or provide direct services to communities in need, you may qualify for debt forgiveness in NY.
There are numerous opportunities for debt forgiveness in NY, regardless of where you live in the state.
If one of these programs doesn't fit, you may still qualify for federal loan forgiveness through programs like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) or student loan forgiveness under income-driven repayment (IDR).
President Biden's cancellation announcement may also provide debt relief from the federal government, although its status is currently uncertain.
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New Student Unveiled in NY
The "Get On Your Feet" program in New York State offers up to two years of federal student loan debt relief to recent college graduates living in the state.
To qualify, applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree from a college or university located in New York State in or after December 2014.
Recent graduates with an adjusted gross income of less than $50,000 can take advantage of this program.
The program supplements the federal Pay As You Earn loan repayment program, allowing eligible graduates to pay nothing on their student loans for the first two years out of school.
Applications will begin being accepted on December 31.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm getting student loan forgiveness?
You'll be notified directly by your student loan servicer after forgiveness is processed. Keep your contact info up to date to receive updates on your loan status.
Sources
- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/24/what-to-know-about-new-yorks-student-loan-forgiveness-program.html
- https://www.studentloanplanner.com/student-loan-forgiveness-new-york/
- https://www.signaturecollegecounseling.com/nys-college-loan-forgiveness-program/
- https://lanterncredit.com/student-loans/student-loan-forgiveness-ny
- https://abc7ny.com/student-loan-loans-forgiveness-governor/1140146/
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