Forgiveness
PSLF Qualifying Payments in 2026: How Months Count
Learn how loan type, repayment plan, employment, RAP timing, consolidation, and certified records determine the 120 PSLF months.
PSLF counts qualifying months, not extra dollars paid. A credited month generally requires an eligible nondefaulted Direct Loan, a qualifying repayment status, and qualifying employment averaging at least 30 hours per week. Borrowers should certify employment and review the month-by-month history in StudentAid.gov.
Current repayment-plan rules
On-time monthly payments under RAP qualify. Tiered Standard does not. Eligible income-contingent plan payments qualify only through June 30, 2028 under the transition rule. SAVE has ended and cannot produce new qualifying payments.
Consolidation and disputed months
A consolidation loan receives weighted qualifying-payment credit under current rules. Deferment, forbearance, buyback, and reconsideration rules are status-specific; they should not be described as universally counting or never counting. Use the official payment history and reconsideration tools for a disputed month.
Frequently asked questions
Can more than one payment count in the same month?
No. PSLF credits qualifying monthly periods; paying extra does not create additional qualifying months.
Where can I check my official PSLF count?
StudentAid.gov provides PSLF form status, certified employment, and eligible and qualifying payment details.