“Dear Steve,
I have been teaching at the same Title 1 school for more than 10 years. Both before and after October 30, 2004 (the date indicated in the forgiveness details), I have completed at least 5 years of teaching. About $70,000 of Stafford Loan debt has accrued because of enrollment in a Master’s and a Ph.D. program in Education.
Can a teacher apply for Stafford Loan forgiveness every five years of teaching, or is $5,000 the maximum amount regardless of number of years taught?
Victoria”
The Answer:
Dear Victoria,
If you have five consecutive, complete years of teaching service that began before Oct. 30, 2004, and have already received the $5,000 teacher loan forgiveness maximum, you may be eligible for up to $12,500 ($17,500 minus the $5,000 received) if you have completed the period of service as a highly qualified full-time mathematics or science teacher in a qualifying secondary school or as a highly qualified special education teacher as defined in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
For all the fine print, click here.
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