Protecting PSLF: How The Latest Changes Could Impact The Popular Program

by Ángel Rentería, SDCC Communications Associate

On August 18, 2025, the Department of Education published its preliminary rule stating its proposed changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. This is in response to the most recent PSLF Negotiated Rulemaking (Neg Reg) session. Neg Reg is a consensus-based process that the federal government undergoes to change regulations that govern a federal department or office. Already know you want to submit a comment? Click here to jump to the instructions.

What Does This Process Impact?

The Department’s current goal is to make changes that will limit PSLF eligibility for employers such as non-profit organizations working with and on behalf of immigrant communities, and groups advancing transgender and LGBTQIA+ rights. There may even be attempts to limit PSLF access for employees of state and local governments and specific nonprofit organizations. This will impact millions of public service workers with student loan debt who work with marginalized communities and offer much-needed support starting July 1, 2026. These professionals often work for low pay while rendering countless services that leave a lasting impact on many folks’ lives, and removing access to PSLF leaves them in financial uncertainty as the promise of PSLF could now be stripped away. These are nurses, counselors, doctors, legal professionals, teachers, friends, neighbors, and family members who will no longer have their student loan debt forgiven after dedicating their careers to helping those in need.

How to Submit a Comment

These changes could go into effect on or after July 1, 2026. However, you can share a public comment to express your thoughts on these changes between now and September 17, 2025. Submitting a public comment is simple and can leave a lasting impression on the committee that oversees these rules. Follow these steps to submit your own public comment:

PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS ENTIRELY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR COMMENT

• Click here to open the public comment portal and click on “Submit a Public Comment.”

• Begin writing your public comment under the “comment” section.

  • Make sure to explicitly state whether you support or oppose the regulation changes. You can use the template at the bottom of this post.

  • While writing, make sure to convey the impact these changes will have on you, your family, or your community.

• Answer the questions that follow the comment box.

• Click submit when you are finished.

Every public comment must be read by the committee prior to the publication of the regulation, so let’s flood the Federal Register with our comments. Together, we can take a stand to protect PSLF eligibility for millions of public service workers across the country. Join us in advocating for continued PSLF eligibility for all public service workers, ensuring vital relief for the millions of Americans dedicated to the public sector.

Template to Submit a Public Comment

Feel free to copy and paste the following comment into the comment box. Please make sure to edit this template and fill out or edit all bolded/highlighted fields with your own text.

My name is ______ and I work as a [INSERT OCCUPATION/JOB] living in [CITY/STATE], and I oppose the proposed changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

As a federal student loan borrower, I am incredibly concerned [include different descriptors here: outraged, disappointed, etc.] by the Trump Administration’s proposal to deny PSLF access to workers who serve vulnerable communities like immigrants, people of color, and transgender youth. We urge the Department of Education to eliminate this proposed rule.

[INSERT YOUR STORY ON WHY PROTECTING PSLF IS IMPORTANT TO YOU/ YOUR LOVED ONES/ ETC, OR WHY THE PROMISE OF PSLF INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE PUBLIC SERVICE WORK, ETC. ]

The Department of Education’s proposed regulation is a gross misuse of power and an illegal attempt to deny PSLF to employers whose work does not align with the Trump Administration's agenda. If implemented, the regulation will cause harm to millions of borrowers who were promised student debt cancellation through PSLF, and who often made career choices based on this promise.

The PSLF program was enacted by Congress almost 20 years ago as a way for public service workers to achieve student debt cancellation after working for ten years at a qualifying government agency, nonprofit, or entity. No exceptions. PSLF is a bipartisan program created by Congress, and it should not be up to the Department of Education to take it away from certain employers.

This proposal is illegal and cruel. [INSERT ANY OTHER CONCERNS YOU HAVE.]

I urge you to keep the promise that Congress made to Americans and eliminate this proposal immediately.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

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ABOUT Student Debt Crisis Center

Student Debt Crisis Center is a national advocacy organization with 2,000,000 supporters calling for fundamental reforms to student loan policies and an end to the student debt crisis. Learn more here.

Thumbnail Image Credit: Federal Student Loans by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images