Last week during my presentations at the Family Medicine Education Consortium annual meeting one question came up repeatedly, “Will Public Service Loan Forgiveness survive?” Here’s what’s happening in Washington DC.

In the past year, legislators introduced over 41 bills to strengthen, clarify, sunset or eliminate Public Service Loan Forgiveness. None has become law. To see the list, click here for the NASFAA Legislative Tracker.

More significantly, for three days at the end of October, the U.S. House of Representatives took up proposals to reauthorize the Higher Education Act (HEA). HEA is the law that regulates higher education programs, financial aid, and related rules. The original law began over 50 years ago and Congress reauthorizes it every 5 years or so. The last reauthorization was 2008 and since then Congress has granted it temporary extensions. Named the College Affordability Act, the reauthorization of HEA passed its House Committee (28-22) with more than 30 bipartisan proposals on October 31, 2019. At least three amendments that would have eliminated or diminished Public Service Loan Forgiveness were voted down. The proposed College Affordability Act significantly increases benefits for borrowers and students. The U.S. Senate is debating its bill, the Student Aid Improvement Act, as I write this article. Washington insiders predict no action on the Higher Education Act reauthorization until the 2020 election is past.

My advice? Stay calm and carry on. We can help you check to be sure you’re on track for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.