You may be eligible to have all or a portion of your Federal Perkins Loan canceled (based on your employment or volunteer service) or discharged (under certain conditions). 
Learn more to see whether you are eligible and how to apply. Federal Perkins Loan cancellation is based on eligible employment or eligible volunteer service and the length of time that you were in such a position. Discharge of your Perkins Loan may occur under certain circumstances. 

Perkins Loan Teacher Cancellation 


What are the eligibility requirements? 
You qualify for cancellation of up to 100 percent of a Federal Perkins Loan if you have served full - time in a public or nonprofit elementary or secondary school system as a teacher in a school serving students from low - income families ; special education teacher , including teachers of infants, toddlers, children, or youth with disabilities ; or teacher in the fields of mathematics, science, foreign languages, or bilingual education, or in any other field of expertise determined by a state education agency to have a shortage of qualified teachers in that state. Eligibility for teacher cancellation is based on the duties presented in an official position description, not on the position title. To receive a cancellation , you must be directly employed by the school system. There is no provision for canceling Federal Perkins Loans for teaching in postsecondary schools. Note that you also qualify for deferment while you re performing teaching service that qualifies for cancellation. Contact your college or your college s Perkins Loan servicer for information on applying for deferment. 

Who is considered a teacher? 
A teacher is someone including for example, a school librarian or guidance counselor who provides elementary or secondary school students with direct services directly related to classroom teaching. You do not need to be certified or licensed to receive cancellation benefits. However , your employing school must consider you 

user: Hi I have heard that I might be able to have all or portion of my Federal Perkins Loan canceled, if this correct?

assistant: Yes under certain conditions you may be discharged from your loan or you may have a portion of your loan canceled based on your employment or volunteer service.

user: What are the eligibility requirements for the cancellation of a Perkins loan? 

assistant: Do you have a Perkins Loan?

user: Yes I do.

assistant: Have you served full-time in a public or non-profit elementary or secondary school as a teacher?

user: Yes I have as a teacher in a school serving students from low income families.

assistant: You mentioned a school serving student from low income families. Please confirm that you were a teacher in such a school.

user: No I did not.

assistant: Have you been a special education teacher?

user: No I have not been a special education teacher.

assistant: Have you been a teacher in the fields of mathematics, science, foreign languages, or bilingual education, or in any other field of expertise determined by a state education agency to have a shortage of qualified teachers in that state?

user: No I have not.

assistant: In that case I am afraid that you will not qualify for cancellation of part of your Federal Perkins Loan.