News You Can Use: Public Service Loan Forgiveness: How Library Workers Can Save Big With This Year’s Limited Waiver

Under Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), many library workers can have their federal student loan balance forgiven after making 10 years of payments. At least, that was the idea; in reality, 98 percent of PSLF applicants were denied. But thanks to advocacy by ALA and our partners, the Education Department is changing the program, including a one-time waiver of certain requirements to fix past problems. During the limited PSLF waiver, past payments that would not otherwise count toward PSLF will be made eligible, and borrowers who previously would not have qualified for PSLF may now qualify. The waiver can apply to borrowers with any number of relevant payments, including those who have not yet made 10 years of payments. However, borrowers must submit the necessary paperwork by Oct. 31, 2022, when the waiver ends. In this session, learn how you can take advantage of this one-time opportunity to save thousands of dollars on your student loans – and hear from librarians who have done it.

Ashley Harrington is the senior advisor to the Chief Operating Officer at the Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid. She advises on policy implementation, operations, and external communications related to the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio. Ashley previously served as federal advocacy director and senior policy counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending.
Michael Yudin is Principal at The Raben Group. Previously, he worked on behalf of the Obama administration at the U.S. Department of Education, serving as assistant secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and acting assistant secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
Julia Warga is Director for Research and Instruction at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. She has applied for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Jennifer Alvino is Library Director at Windham Public Library in Windham, Maine. She also has applied for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Moderator: Kevin Maher is Deputy Director, Public Policy & Advocacy, at the American Library Association.