Guide to Illinois Student Loan Forgiveness

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Does Illinois Have Student Loan Forgiveness Programs?
Federal vs State Loan Forgiveness
Student Loan Forgiveness Programs in Illinois
1. Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program
Be a resident of Illinois and a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
Have an outstanding balance due on eligible education loans
Be a qualifying behavioral health professional who meets state licensing requirements
Have worked at least 12 consecutive months at an underserved or rural Health Professional Shortage Area facility immediately before applying for this program
Not be in default on any federal guaranteed educational loan
2. Illinois National Health Service Corps State Loan Repayment Program
Be licensed in Illinois as a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, nurse midwife, dentist, or psychiatrist
Be willing to practice in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area, also known as an HPSA
Be a U.S. citizen
Have eligible federal or private student debt
3. Illinois Teachers Loan Repayment Program
Be a resident of Illinois and a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen Be a federal student loan borrower who has already had some student debt forgiven under the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness program Have a balance remaining on your eligible student loans Have fulfilled your five-year teaching obligation in an Illinois elementary or secondary school designated as a low-income school
4. John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program
Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
Have an outstanding federal student loan balance
Be licensed to practice law and work as a full-time prosecutor or public defender in Illinois
Not be in default on any federal guaranteed educational loan
5. Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program
Be a resident of Illinois and a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
Have an outstanding balance due on eligible education loans
Be a licensed nurse educator in compliance with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Have taught for at least 12 consecutive months if applying as a first-time applicant or agree to teach at an approved nursing education program for 12 consecutive months to be eligible for a subsequent award
Not be in default on any federal guaranteed educational loan
6. Veterans’ Home Medical Providers’ Loan Repayment Program
Be a resident of Illinois and a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
Have an outstanding balance due on eligible education loans
Be a certified medical provider in compliance with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Be a medical provider who has completed the prescribed employment probationary period and who remains employed in good standing as determined by the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Agree to work for 12 months as a medical provider at an approved veterans’ home to be eligible for an annual award
Not be in default on any federal guaranteed educational loan
Student Loan Forgiveness Exclusions
Applying for Student Loan Forgiveness in Illinois
Biden’s One-Time Forgiveness Plan
Military Student Loan Forgiveness
Avoid Student Loan Forgiveness Scams
Federal Relief Programs
Income-Driven Repayment Plans
Revised Pay As You Earn Repayment (REPAYE)
Pay As You Earn Repayment (PAYE)
Income-Based Repayment (IBR)
Illinois Student Loan Forgiveness Considerations
The Takeaway
Frequently Asked Questions
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About the Author
Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman writes about personal loans, auto loans, student loans, and other personal finance topics for Lantern. He’s the recipient of more than 10 journalism awards and currently serves as a New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists board member. An alumnus of the Philadelphia-based Temple University, Abdur-Rahman is a strong advocate of the First Amendment and freedom of speech.
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