PSLF: which employers qualify, and what full time means

Qualifying employers

Under 34 CFR 685.219, these count:

• A U.S. federal, state, local or tribal government organization, agency or entity, including the Armed Forces and the National Guard.
• A public child or family service agency.
• A 501(c)(3) organization exempt from federal income tax.
• A tribal college or university.
• Another nonprofit that provides certain public services listed in the rule, such as public health, public education, public safety or emergency management, as attested by the employer. Businesses organized for profit, labor unions and partisan political organizations don’t qualify.

Full time

• An average of at least 30 hours a week during the period being certified, across one or more qualifying jobs; or
• At least 30 hours a week through a contract or employment period of at least 8 months in a 12-month period, such as many teachers and professors; or
• For non-tenure-track higher education teaching, each credit or contact hour taught per week multiplied by at least 3.35.

A new employer rule from July 1, 2026

The regulation now lets the Department decide, after a process, that an employer engaged on or after July 1, 2026 in activities with a “substantial illegal purpose”. Payments for months after such a determination don’t count.

Checking your employer

StudentAid.gov’s PSLF Help Tool looks up employers. Certifying employment each year, and when you change jobs, keeps your count current.

Not financial or legal advice. This page explains the published rules. It does not tell you which plan to choose. Your loan servicer and StudentAid.gov have the final word on your account.

Next guide: Teacher Loan Forgiveness: up to $5,000 or $17,500