For a limited time (October 31, 2022), you may receive credit for past repayment periods on student loans that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF.

If you have FFEL Program loans, Federal Perkins Loans, or other federal student loans, you must consolidate your loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan to qualify for PSLF whether or not you're trying to benefit from the PSLF Waiver.

Before consolidating, make sure to check to see if you work for a qualifying employer. Learn about consolidation and the pros and cons of consolidating your loans.

Past repayment periods will now count whether or not you made a payment, made that payment on time, for the full amount due, or on a qualifying repayment plan.

Forbearance periods of twelve (12) or more consecutive months, or 36 or more cumulative months will count under the PSLF waiver. In fall 2022, the Education Department will begin making account adjustments to include these periods. Forbearance periods provided by the COVID-19 emergency relief flexibilities do not count toward these months.

Any months you spent in deferment before 2013 will count under the PSLF Waiver. The Education Department will also include economic hardship deferment on or after January 1, 2013 toward the PSLF Waiver. The Education Department will apply these deferment periods to your account in Fall 2022.

Default periods and in – school deferment periods still do not qualify.

Note: The qualifying employment requirement has not changed. Use the Education Department's employer search tool to learn if your employer qualifies for PSLF.

If you have additional questions about this limited time opportunity to benefit from the PSLF waiver, then please go to the Education Department's PSLF Waiver webpage.

Or, contact the Dombrow Law Firm to learn how to schedule a Federal student loan analysis of your situation.