Massachusetts Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

In a time when college costs are going through the roof, the promise of student loan forgiveness has given millions of Americans hope but also a lot of worry because it’s unclear what will happen. Still, it’s a subject that has sparked heated discussion nationwide.

In Massachusetts, the story is different.

Recent data from the Education Department reveals a promising uptick in loan forgiveness. The temporary changes introduced by the Biden-Harris Administration have eased the path for borrowers, resulting in a surge of approvals for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

In fact, since October 2021, more than 13,200 borrowers in Massachusetts have seen nearly $859 million in loan forgiveness, an average of over $64,000 per borrower.

The broad one-time cancellation many borrowers were counting on never arrived — the Supreme Court struck it down in June 2023 — so the federal routes below are the ones that remain.

Despite this optimism at the federal level, Massachusetts only offers a single loan forgiveness program of its own, the Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program for Health Professionals.

Related: State-Based Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

The Bay State offers only one student loan forgiveness program: The Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program for Health Professionals.

This unique program seeks to address the demonstrable need for qualified health professionals in certain communities. These areas often include rural regions or communities that are socioeconomically challenged.

The program offers loan repayment assistance to attract primary care physicians to these areas. Physicians who meet certain criteria, such as holding a current, unrestricted license to provide care in Massachusetts and demonstrating a financial need for loan assistance, can qualify for this program.

Despite its existence, it’s worth noting that this program serves a specific demographic: health professionals. Many Massachusetts students and graduates outside of this field may find their student loan forgiveness options limited at the state level.

Though the Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program for Health Professionals is a significant tool in attracting and retaining essential healthcare providers in underserved areas for a broader cross-section of borrowers, the gaze will inevitably shift towards federal programs for student loan relief.

There’s good news for Mass residents carrying the weight of federal student loans. Several federal programs, brought to you by the U.S. Department of Education, offer relief based on your income or profession.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

First up is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

You may qualify if you work full-time in a public service job (think government agencies, public schools, or nonprofits).

The goal: Make 120 qualifying student loan payments while employed full-time by the government, not-for-profit organization, or other qualifying employers, and say goodbye to your Direct Loans.

Income-Driven Repayment Forgiveness

Income-driven repayment forgives whatever balance is left at the end of the plan’s term. For federal loans made before July 1, 2026, that plan is Income-Based Repayment — 20 years if you first borrowed on or after July 1, 2014, 25 years if you borrowed earlier. PAYE and ICR run on similar terms but close on June 30, 2028. For loans made on or after July 1, 2026, the plan is the Repayment Assistance Plan, with forgiveness at 30 years. SAVE no longer exists.

The one-time IDR account adjustment that gave retroactive credit for past time in repayment closed to new consolidations on June 30, 2024 and has been processed. Nothing has replaced it. If you have FFEL or Perkins loans, consolidating into a Direct Consolidation Loan is still what makes them eligible for these plans and for PSLF — but a consolidation made on or after July 1, 2026 is itself closed out of IBR, PAYE, and ICR, leaving RAP as its only income-driven option, and whether income-driven credit earned before the consolidation carries over is unsettled. Refinancing federal loans with a private lender ends your eligibility for all of it.

One more thing worth knowing before you get close: a balance forgiven through an income-driven plan in 2026 or later counts as taxable income federally. PSLF forgiveness does not.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

Are you a teacher? The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program might be for you.

Your federal Direct or Stafford Loans could be forgiven if you’ve worked full-time for five consecutive years in a low-income school or educational service agency.

Forgiveness amounts can reach up to $17,500 for highly qualified math, science, and special education teachers and up to $5,000 for other eligible teachers.

The 2022 Broad Debt Cancellation Plan Is Over

The one-time cancellation of $10,000 to $20,000 announced in August 2022 never took effect — the Supreme Court struck it down in June 2023 — and the pandemic-era payment pause and interest freeze ended that same year. There is nothing left to wait for there. The programs above are the live federal routes, and the 2025 budget law rewrote the repayment system around them: SAVE is gone, the Repayment Assistance Plan took its place for loans made on or after July 1, 2026, and PAYE and ICR close on June 30, 2028.

It may seem like there aren’t many options for getting student loans forgiven in Massachusetts since the state only has one program for health workers. But the wave of government loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program has greatly helped many borrowers in the state.

It’s critical to stay abreast of all developments at both state and federal levels. Regulations can change, funding may be released, and new programs could emerge. To ensure you don’t miss out on potential student loan forgiveness opportunities, consider subscribing to our newsletter.