What this counter does
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you make 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full time for a qualifying employer, such as a government agency or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (StudentAid.gov). Enter the count StudentAid.gov shows you today, and the counter shows how many payments are left, the month you could make your 120th payment and what the remaining payments add up to.
How it is worked out
Payments left = 120 − payments counted so far. The counter assumes one qualifying payment a month from the month after your count, and adds the months you expect will not count. Example: 48 payments counted in November 2026 leaves 72; with no gaps, the 120th payment would be in November 2032. At $250 a month, the remaining 72 payments add up to $18,000.
Where to find your official count
- Log in to StudentAid.gov and open your PSLF progress. That count, not this estimate, is what decides forgiveness.
- Certify your employment every year and each time you change jobs, so your count stays up to date.
- After your 120th payment, apply for forgiveness. You must still work for a qualifying employer when you apply and when the balance is forgiven.
- A Department of Education rule published on October 31, 2025 lets it remove employers it finds have a "substantial illegal purpose" from PSLF, based only on conduct from July 1, 2026, when the rule takes effect. Payments made before such a decision keep their credit (Federal Register).
Frequently asked questions
Do the 120 payments have to be in a row?
No. Qualifying payments do not have to be consecutive, and time at a job that does not qualify does not erase payments you already made.
What counts as full time for PSLF?
Working an average of at least 30 hours a week for a qualifying employer, either in one job or in more than one qualifying job.
Which months might not count?
Months at a job that does not qualify, months you work less than full time, and some forbearance or deferment months. Your servicer and StudentAid.gov decide which months count; enter your own estimate in the "will not count" box.
What happens to my count if I change jobs?
Payments you already made while working for a qualifying employer still count. Certify your employment with the new employer too: only months at a qualifying employer add to your count.
Is my information saved?
No. The numbers stay on this page and nothing is sent anywhere.