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  1. Home
  2. Employee and Family Resources
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  4. Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

CBP full-time employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, a federal program designed to encourage college graduates to enter into public service. It offers tax-free forgiveness of student loan debts for government and non-profit organization employees after 10 years of public service and 120 qualifying payments.

CBP employees interested in PSLF can use the PSLF Help Tool to find out what actions are needed to meet eligibility guidelines. Student loan types and payment plans must meet program requirements and may need to be consolidated or restructured to be eligible for forgiveness once the 10-year employment requirement is met.
 

Eligible Loans and Qualifying Payments

Not all student loans qualify for PSLF as the program specifies only William D. Ford Direct Loans are eligible. Private loans or other federal student loans may become eligible if you consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Loan payments only count towards the 120 qualifying payments when made under a qualifying repayment plan, for the full amount shown on the bill, no later than 15 days after your due date and while employed by a qualifying employer.
 

How to Apply

  1. Sign in to the Federal Student Aid Website

    Sign in to the Federal Student Aid website with your FSA ID. You can create an account, request your FSA ID, or reset your password as needed.

  2. Use the PSLF Help Tool

    Use the PSLF Help Tool to determine if you have the correct loan type or whether you need to consolidate your loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan to qualify for PSLF. The help tool will walk you through the consolidation process and help verify if your employer is a qualifying employer. CBP is listed as a qualifying employer.

  3. Download the PSLF Form

    Download the PSLF form or use the PSLF Help Tool to generate the form. It is important to use the appropriate Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). For CBP employees, please use USDA (72-0564834). Some federal agencies have the same EIN therefore you might see several agencies listed in the PSLF Help Tool once you enter the EIN. Be sure to select CBP from the list.

  4. Sign and Date the Form

    Once Sections 1 – 3 are completed, sign and date the form. Electronic (PDF) forms require you to save the PDF file before it can be signed. Typed signatures (using cursive or other fonts) and digital certificate-based signatures are not accepted. Signature guidelines only allow hand drawn signatures which include:

    • Wet signature drawn in ink and sent in its original format
    • Hand drawn with a signature pad, mouse or finger
    • Scanned photo of a signature drawn on a piece of paper and embedded on the signature line of the PSLF form

  5. Access Your eOPF

    Next, access your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF) and save a copy of your CBP enter- on-duty SF-50. If you had a break in CBP service, all SF-50s must be produced to properly verify length of service. To access eOPF, you will need a computer connected to a secure government network.

  6. Send Forms for Certification

    Send your completed PSLF form and SF-50(s) to your support staff and/or supervisor for certification (Section 4). The PSLF form is returned to the employee.

  7. Submit Your Completed Form

    Finally, submit your completed form following the directions in Section 7 of the PSLF form.

Additional Information

Last Modified: Jul 28, 2023
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