If you are a social worker, there is some good news for you! You may be able to get student loan forgiveness and other options. Social work has been growing in recent years, with more jobs being available than ever before. This can lead to high debt for those who went into the profession because of the lower pay scale. Luckily, there are ways to get help with your student loans if you qualify! We will discuss what they are below and how they could benefit your current situation.
What are the qualifications to be a social worker?
First of all, you must be a full-time student at a Social Work School. This means you will not be teaching part-time while you are enrolled in school. It may mean that you need to take a break from your current job while you attend school to maintain your income and whatnot. It is up to you and your school to find out what these qualifications are for the school you attend. If you are currently working in your field, you will also need to have a social work license in order to be a social worker. You can also get loans to help cover the cost of school. You do not need to have a college degree or even attend a school for the past 2 years in order to qualify for forgiveness. Does anyone else have to do this?
What are the potential benefits of being a social worker?
Job stability Because of the large number of jobs available in social work, job stability is quite high. Many employers hire fewer employees for several years to ensure that their workers have opportunities for advancement and growth. If you are a social worker, you will get an opportunity to advance in your field, receive an increase in pay, and have the opportunity to continue working in the field for years to come. Salary Another benefit that comes with working as a social worker is a much higher salary than what you would get working in many other fields. In addition to a higher salary, the salary is protected by the government as long as you stay in your job.
What is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program?
The public service loan forgiveness program is a way for the U.S. Government to help people who work for government and non-profit agencies get out of debt. Your loans will be forgiven after 10 years of repayment, even if you are working in a job that you could not have gotten in the private sector. If you work for a non-profit, be it a hospital, an office of a senator or a place of worship, you could be eligible for the program. For example, you might be working in a psychiatric hospital or you might be a social worker. However, there are rules and regulations and it will be specific to the organization that you are a part of. The loans for your student loan could be forgiven after 10 years regardless of the job you are doing.
How do I apply for the PSLF?
The PSLF program requires you to work 10 years in the field to have the option to apply for a discharge of your loans. This program would not help to discharge federal debt because there are many laws that prevent such an option. The requirement for this program is that you spent at least 10 years working for a non-profit, public service entity, or other governmental agency. This places you under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Education. To be considered for the PSLF program, you will need to file with the agency as the veteran or active duty military service member. Are Social Workers Eligible? Social workers are considered veterans or active duty military service members who have applied for, and been approved for, the PSLF program.
How do I get student loan forgiveness?
There are many opportunities to qualify for student loan forgiveness. For example, teachers, nurses, and other professionals in the medical field have an opportunity to get their loans forgiven. Certain health care professionals are also eligible for additional options. For social workers, it is important to note that this program is in the Individual Supplemental Educational Opportunity Program. The Internal Revenue Service works with various groups to ensure that all graduates of social work programs are eligible for student loan forgiveness. You will need to be able to prove that you hold a degree from a credentialed school, and have a record of outstanding service to the field.
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed this article on the different student loan repayment programs that are available for social workers! We want to hear from you if you have any questions at all, so please let us know in the comments below!
