PSLF Negotiated Rulemaking Update

PSLF Negotiated Rulemaking Update

Sep 22, 2025

Beginning in May, the Department of Education began a negotiated rulemaking process to create new rules that would restrict which employers qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The PSLF program is a loan forgiveness program for borrowers who have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full time for a qualified employer. This rulemaking process was set into motion by the President's Executive Order 14235, which aims to stop borrowers from receiving loan forgiveness through PSLF if they work for employers who engage in activities that go against the Administration's agenda.

On August 18, the Department of Education released their proposed rule [Docket ID ED-2025-OPE-00165] and opened up a 30 day comment period.

Student loan debt relief is one of NASW's public policy priorities and you can read the comments NASW submitted independently and the public comments we signed onto with our coalition partners.

The next step is that the Department of Education staff will examine all the comments and respond to those they deem "significant". Then they will develop the final rule.

NASW will provide additional updates as they become available.