NASFAA Urges Congress to Preserve PSLF Program
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
Responding to reports that reforms to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program are included among the many options Congress is considering to find cost savings through the budget reconciliation process, NASFAA and dozens of other organizations sent a letter to the top education lawmakers urging them to preserve the PSLF program.
The letter, led by the PSLF Coalition of which NASFAA is a member, was sent to the top education committee lawmakers in both the Senate and House – Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Reps. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.).
In the letter, the organizations stress the importance of the PSLF program and explain how it is a vital tool that strengthens communities, fills critical workforce shortages, and ensures that public service remains an accessible and attainable career path. They also cite concerns that any cuts or restrictions to PSLF could deprive many Americans of the services they need in schools, hospitals, courtrooms and neighborhoods.
“PSLF is a critical investment in our nation’s public service workforce,” the letter reads. “By ensuring student loan relief for those who work in public service for 10 years, PSLF strengthens America’s schools, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and military.”
The organizations go on to explain that part of the success of the PSLF program, which was enacted and implemented through bipartisan congressional support, has been due to affordable and accessible income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. The IDR plan allows public servants to repay their student loans on a scale adjusted to their income. Without affordable IDR plans, PSLF repayments could be too costly for many public servants.
The organizations stressed that lawmakers should preserve affordable and accessible IDR plans and the PSLF program.
“PSLF works and millions of American taxpayers reap its benefits every day in communities nationwide,” the letter reads. “It is a proven investment in America’s workforce that should be safeguarded to ensure communities across the country receive the critical services public service professionals provide.”
Separately, earlier in March, president Donald Trump signed an executive order directing ED to make changes to the PSLF program and rescind eligibility from organizations engaged in “illegal activities.” Last week, ED announced public hearing dates for its intent to establish negotiated rulemaking committees for the PSLF program, among other topics.
Publication Date: 4/10/2025
David S | 4/10/2025 8:41:47 AM
Call your representative in Congress, call both of your Senators...even if you're confident that they fully support PSLF. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and by grease of course I mean vote. If they don't hear about it from voters, they'll assume it isn't important. If you work at a school that doesn't want its employees speaking on behalf of the school, Congressional staffers want to know your name and where you live, they don't ask you where you work. Encourage your colleagues to do the same, and if your school's culture allows, students as well.
PSLF exists for a good reason, and let's not forget that it was at the time so bipartisan that it was signed into law by a Republican.
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