For many of us, getting a postsecondary degree may be too expensive. As a result, students often graduate with their degree along with a student loan debt. However, there is one way to sidestep this trap — looking for a career that provides some kind of forgiveness for your student loan.
In this blog post, we break down just what student loan forgiveness is, along with a list of professions that offer employees student loan forgiveness.
What Careers Qualify For Student Loan Forgiveness?
A student loan forgiveness program allows some employees to manage or escape their student loan debts. Some jobs work alongside federal programs to completely or partially cover their student loan. You may also find employers who could pay all or part of your student loan debts.
Understanding how this program works as well as how your employer can help you pay it off and make the most out of your career may affect your choice of education, interests, experience, and financial goals. Below are just some of the jobs that you can apply for if you wish to get student loan forgiveness.
Government
All kinds of government employees can qualify for public service loan forgiveness depending on the program. To be eligible, the following requirements will need to be met:
- Must work for a U.S. federal, state, local, not-for-profit organization or tribal government
- Must work full-time work for that organization or agency
- Must have direct loans or may also consolidate your federal student loans into a Direct loan
- Must make 120 qualifying payments
- Must repay your loan through an income-driven repayment plan
Government jobs that qualify for student loan forgiveness include:
- Office clerk
- Administrative assistant
- Management analyst
Healthcare
Various healthcare occupations offer forgiveness for student loans, but this may depend on who employs you along with the details of your loan. But if you are interested in working in the healthcare industry, and are looking to get loan forgiveness, here are the most suitable careers for you:
- Nurse
- Pharmacist
- Dentist
- Doctor
Public Service
Some positions in public service, especially those with high demand, offer options for loan forgiveness. While some can be sponsored by your employer, others are available through the government. Here are some public service positions you can consider:
- Teacher
- Social worker
- Lawyer
Military
If you’re a current or former member of the military, you might have access to student loan repayment and forgiveness options. Below are some careers in the military that you can look into to qualify.
- Soldier
- Military police
- Infantryman
Non-Profit
Non-profit employees may also qualify for student loan forgiveness. Be sure to speak to your employer or look for loan forgiveness programs in the nonprofit industry to get more information. A few non-profit jobs include the following:
- Grant writer
- Special events coordinator
- Program director
Choose Your Career Wisely
While there aren’t many careers that offer student loan forgiveness, the ones listed above are some of the most popular choices. Should you choose this path to pay off your student loans, you’ll be able to avoid debts after you’ve come out of school. This is a great way to get started in your adult life, so if you’re even a little inclined towards any of the jobs above, be sure to carefully evaluate if it is the right career choice for you.
