Comment on restricting access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (Department of Education)

Public Rights Project (PRP) submitted a comment to the Department of Education opposing the Trump administration’s plans to narrow the definition of “qualifying employer” under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The administration is currently creating a committee to make changes to PSLF and other loan programs. 

The comment explains that if public service professions are restricted under PSLF, organizations like PRP will have difficulty hiring and retaining talent and fulfilling their missions to the public.

The comment cites student debt as a substantial barrier to entry for those interested in public service work, where wide disparities between debt and salaries exist. The comment highlights the origin of the PSLF program, explaining that Congress enacted it to encourage more people to enter public service professions. The comment concludes with an explanation of the real-world harm that organizations like PRP and its employees will experience.