Loan Forgiveness for Social Workers

NASW is promoting loan forgiveness for social workers as part of its on-going work to improve working conditions, salaries, and other benefits for members of the profession and to ensure that consumers have access to qualified professionals. NASW will continue its support for proposals to provide loan forgiveness for social workers in child welfare and schools, while also working to secure loan forgiveness and other educational supports for social workers in other practice areas.

Two recently passed bills that offer loan forgiveness for social workers are the Higher Education Act and the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. You can find out if you are eligible for these programs by contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243. It is important to note that NASW does not determine loan forgiveness eligibility, nor does NASW disperse loan forgiveness funds.

If you are having difficulty paying your loans, contact your lender immediately. You may qualify for deferment, forbearance or another form of payment relief. It is important to take action before you accrue late fees, as this may impact your eligibility for payment relief or loan forgiveness programs.

Click here to view a fact sheet on the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007.

Frequently Asked Questions:
http://www.socialworkers.org/loanforgiveness/faq.asp

Federal Student Debt Resources:
http://www.socialworkers.org/loanforgiveness/fedresources.asp

NASW Resources:
http://www.socialworkers.org/loanforgiveness/nasw.asp

Other Student Loan Resources:
http://www.socialworkers.org/loanforgiveness/other.asp

Latest News:
House passes Student Aid Bill with significant increases in education funding (9/29/09).
Check out the Project on Student Debt’s video about the new Income-Based Repayment program that will help reduce student debt: