Dear New Yorkers, 
 

An estimated one million New Yorkers have student loan debt -- debt which puts a burden on living costs, limits options for jobs and housing, and dampens our local economy. Right now, there are two unprecedented opportunities open for student loan debt relief, and the time left to take advantage of them is ticking!  
 

First, there’s still time for government or nonprofit workers to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Waiver—but the window closes on October 31st! There are no income limits or debt amount limits, so if you or someone you know works in public service, this is an opportunity to achieve significant debt relief.  

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program was created in 2007 with the promise that anyone with a total of 10 years government or nonprofit work experience would have all remaining student loans eliminated. Though very well-intentioned, the program has largely been inaccessible to many of the people it was intended to serve. However, the Biden administration opened a temporary waiver program that will allow tens of thousands of nonprofit and government workers to get their loans forgiven. Even if you think you don’t qualify, even if you were rejected in the past, and even if you have fewer than 10 years of service, all are encouraged to apply to make sure you are given the credits you deserve.  
 

You can use the PSLF help tool to determine if you qualify here:

If you have questions or need assistance, PSLF.NYC is hosting multiple webinars and virtual office hours this week for borrowers to get their questions answered before the October 31 deadline. Sign up here.
 

Second, not only are we in the closing days of the PSLF waiver application—we are also in the opening days of applying for either $10,000 or $20,000 in student loan forgiveness, for anyone in any industry! This Federal student loan forgiveness is available to individuals who made less than $125,000 in 2021 or 2020 or families that made less than $250,000 in 2021 or 2020. 
 

Now, relief payments are currently on pause due to a lawsuit working its way through the legal system, but the White House is still encouraging people to apply for debt relief so that they can put in the administrative work to make relief happen after the program has withstood legal challenges.
 

Both programs are a result of what happens when people organize together to demand change. From every person who knocked doors or staged a demonstration, to elected leaders like Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer who negotiated and advocated, to President Biden and his administration who heard the calls and acted to provide needed relief—we owe them all thanks for their role in these important steps towards alleviating crushing debt for millions of people.  
 

Yours in gratitude, 

Brad