Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program erases the student loan debt of people who work for certain employers. As a state government institution and public university, NIU is a qualifying employer for this program. If you work for NIU, you may be eligible to have your student loan debt forgiven. For more information about PSLF, visit the Federal Student Aid website.

If you have any questions, please contact us at hr_pslfrequests@niu.edu.  

Do I Qualify?

To qualify for PSLF, you must:

• Work at least 30 hours a week.
• Have a qualifying loan.
• Meet repayment requirements.

Qualifying Loans

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans are eligible for PSLF. You may consolidate non-direct loans into a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan. Perkins Loans and Pell Grants aren't eligible. If you consolidate your Direct Loans with these, you won't qualify for PSLF.

Repayment Requirements

To qualify for PSLF, you must:

• Have made 120 qualifying payments while working for a qualifying employer.
• Have an income-driven repayment plan or the 10-year standard repayment plan.
• Have made payments for the full amount due and no more than 15 days late.

You can't make a qualifying payment while enrolled at least half-time as a student, or if your loan is in a grace period, deferment, forbearance or default.

How to Apply

1. Complete these forms:
   • PSLF Certification and Application (PDF) (sections one and two and three; physical signature required).
   • NIU PSLF Request (PDF).
2. Send the PSLF Certification and Application (pages 1-2) and the NIU PSLF Request to us:
   • Mail (USPS): Northern Illinois University, Human Resource Services, PSLF Request, 1515 W. Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115.
   • Fax: 815-753-2335.
   • Drop off at 1515 W. Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115.
3. Wait for us to verify section one, two and three, and complete section four of the PSLF Certification and Application and return it to you.
4. Submit the completed PSLF Certification and Application to FedLoan (refer to section seven).

Please note: NIU's federal employer identification number (FEIN) is 36-6008480.