Student Debt Resources

AFSCME members, you keep our country and economy running, even in these difficult times. Your work means everything to your community. But at times it can be dangerous, adding considerable stress to you and your family.  

On top of this, you may be burdened by student debt. Although the Supreme Court struck down the Biden-Harris administration’s student debt relief program and payments on federal student loans have resumed, the Biden administration recently announced that it will continue to take steps to relieve the burden of student debt for American families.  To date, these steps have included forgiving $39 billion in Federal student loans for more than 804,000 borrowers after an adjustment to payments required under several Income Driven Repayment (IDR) plans and creating a new IDR plan – “Saving on Valuable Education” (SAVE) – that is the most affordable payment plan ever. 

Our union played an important role in advocating on behalf its members and other working families for student debt relief, as we’ll continue to do so. In the meantime, we encourage you to review the materials on this resource page and check back often for updates.  

The materials offer guidance on federal loan debt relief under Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.  Members who meet the eligibility requirements should apply immediately.  

Income-Driven Repayment plans set your monthly student loan payments at an amount that is intended to be affordable based on your income and family size. There are four types of IDR plans. After meeting the plan’s payment requirements, any remaining loan balance is to be forgiven if your federal student loans are not repaid at the end of the repayment period.   

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a federal student loan relief program established in 2007 and designed to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full time in public sector jobs. Participation in the program generally requires that the borrower have a federal Direct Loan, be employed by a qualified employer on a full-time basis and make 120 loan payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Upon meeting these requirements, the borrower’s loans are to be forgiven.