Return to Article: Congress approves student loan forgiveness for public servants
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69683
I would like to see loan forgiveness to nurses who work at low income schools. They have a program for teachers but nurses are not included at this time. Are there any loan forgiveness programs to help with nurses that are willing to give up higher income to work with children in need in low income school districts?
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54756
I am a single mother of two children and I chose to pursue a career in social work for the fulfillment of the job such as helping people and see them become sel-sufficient. As a person who has came through the system I know how important social workers are to the workforce. I think that it is sad enough that people are taking the time to help people without even making a decent amount of money,are some of the most educated people and on top of that they have to worry about feeding thier families not to mention paying back student loans. It makes people not want to attend school because they are in great fear that they may not be able to pay back their student loans. There is such a great deal about companies and school districts recruiting school teachers. What about social workers? We work just as hard if not harder than school teachers and are paid much less. They should have loan forgiveness programs for social workers as well because I definitly did not go into the preofession because of the money.
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51268
The legislation is better than nothing for those of us with huge consolidated Student Loans through the U.S. Departemnt of Education. I guess I better try to buy a house now, to lower the 10 years of payments or is the income contingent directly related to you salary and has nothing to do with your you debts included in the bottom line. If it is you may as well get purchase all the things possible with your new home and stay single.Don;t forget the amount forgiven become taxable income. More than likely I'll be dead anyway. So who cares!!!!
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51267
The legislation is better than nothing for those of us with huge consolidated Student Loans through the U.S. Departemnt of Education. I guess I better try to buy a house now, to lower the 10 years of payments or is the income contingent directly related to you salary and has nothing to do with your you debts included in the bottom line. If it is you may as well get purchase all the things possible with your new home and stay single.Don;t forget the amount forgiven become taxable income. More than likely I'll be dead anyway. So who cares!!!!
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49203
This bill should definitely be retroactive for public service/non profit employees who are already paying student loans. I started repaying my student loan for 4 consecutive years and have not missed a payment. My monthly bill is $448 per month and that still is not enough to cover all of the taxes which accumulate on the daily. Shouldn't that count for something?
It is only fair that non profit/public service employees who have been paying their loans consistently even before October 2007 should be able to take advantage of this as well. We are working for a good cause or to provide a service same as new college graduates and have been for some time; without a big salary as well.
Who do people in my predicament contact to be included in this bill?
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46740
I have worked for the Federal Bureau of Prison since 1991. I attended college to work on my Master Degree. I received a degree in Education focus Counseling & pschology. I owe $60,000 dollars in student loans...I have had student loans before and paid them off . Working in a prison system is a very stressful job most days but you try to make the best of it because someone has to help these inmate. I have been teaching inmates almost 17 years and hope to retire soon with 20 years of services but when I retire I am going to have to go from one job to another really without a break to keep my head above water..
So, please consider paying some at least 60% of student loans.. It should be for all citizens not just for certain government workers...(doctors, teachers, correctional workers, militiary, social workers, drug treatment workers, etc.) GOD will definitely bless the USA. You would see more positive progress from your citizens and financial stability...
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46551
Where is the help for veteran teachers? I have taught for 17 years. I owe 93,000 on a loan that started as 23,000.
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46487
How do we apply for this forgiveness and does this forgivenss include those who work for the county agencies such as the sheriff's office?
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44872
where are the answer to the question asked? Also government worker for over ten years and student loan growing. Need help find out how to get loan forgiven for at least lowered.
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43865
I have been with to VA for 5 and 1/2 years. When I first started I wasn't told of the school loan repayment program, you would only of qualified in the 1st 6 months. I owe $38000 in loans for school, if they had a program that you signed stating that you will work for them for x number of years they will pay an amount of each year. I would sign up, we don't make a lot of money but if there was a light at the end of the tunnel it would be great. It is hard to get a house loan because one has student loans, can't someone help?
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43602
I have almost two years working for a state univeristy. Does this qualify for any loan forgiveness?
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42428
I have 69k in school loans with a Master in English/Education. Educators have so much on us. We should get some type of funding just for teaching in the public school system. Science, Math, Special Education teachers get money but History and English do not get anything. I teach the same kids as the Science, Math, & Special Ed teachers do.. I deserve the same. Special Ed teacher don't even have to be in the room with me when I have "their" students who are mine really.
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42406
I really wish Congress would consider a loan forgiveness program for Educators. Our daughter,who would like to follow in her parents footsteps(both teachers) will be faced with nearly $80,000 in student loans upon graduation. What a burden to start a career. This is not the "american dream" it's the "american nightmare!"
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42340
I had such hope that finally I would feel some relief from the huge burden of my student loans. Nope. The requirements are too restrictive. If I am willing to make payments on time monthly for 10 years, to be in good standing with my lender AND to work at the lowest end of the pay range (non-profit)... all of this isn't good enough.. I must also do it FULL-TIME instead of part-time and have my kids with someone besides their mother. This is just another example of how our lawmakers do not care about families and those of us who actually value RAISING OUR OWN CHILDREN AND PAYING OUR DEBTORS!
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42134
I have 58k of student loans after finally finishing my masters. I am 55. I can't see me staying for another 10 years just to pay this off. I've loved my tenure with the DoD but this bill won't help me!
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41899
I am 60 years old I went back to school at the age of 50. In the last ten years I have gone back to school and got my bachelor and Master Degree. My freind and I was the only two students in our class that was not getting reinbusted by our employer. We work for non-profit organization, Project GRAD in Knox County school system. Please tell me If I can quality for a loan forgiveness?
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40481
Once again we've been short changed by Uncle Sam. I currently have 6 years of federal service, student loan debt in excess of 50k ($500 a month), and am under paid. I thought this was my lucky break but Public Law 110-084 (HR 2669) allows for forgiveness after 10 years and 120 monthly payments made on or after October 1, 2007. Payments made before October 1, 2007 do not count. Therefore we won't be eligible to apply for this benefit until 2017. Time for a new job.
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38953
Where can I find information to determine how I might take advantage of this policy?
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38562
Vanessa, Whatever you do, remember to consolidate your loans with the Department of Education and not the private corporations, such as Sallie Mae (See my earlier message on this page). My thinking is that all public employees should have the benefit as Congress intended, but right now it rather depends on whose hands your loans are in. If with the US Gov, bingo! If not, the repayment struggle will not change a bit!
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38207
I have been working for the federal government since 8/03 and started college in 6/05. The repayment of my student loans will not start until after my guaduating in 2010, will I be eligilbe for the student loan forgiveness program? Thank you.
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38047
I just discovered a disturbing message i.e., since my loans are not currently consolidated with the government (Federal Direct Consolidation Loan), then I am not eligible for the H.R. 2669 benefits in spite of being a federal employee. If you have information on how to move student loans from a private company back to the Dept of Education, please let me know. I find it disturbing that my student loans that were approved and sponsored by my gov would not be eligible for the same gov benefits.
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37974
I have a similiar comment to the other personnel. Who can I contact? I work for USDA/NRCS. Will HR know the answer?
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37735
"Title IV: Loan Forgiveness - (Sec. 401) Cancels the DL balance owed by borrowers who, after October 1, 2007, have made 120 payments under income-based or standard repayment plans while employed in certain public service jobs."
I have been on a forberance for a couples years. I have been employed by the Federal Government since 6/11/07. Does the 120 payments and the length of service start after 10/1/07 or does the payments and length of service prior to that count?Who do I contact for additional information?
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37650
I have a similar question to the one posetd just prior to mine. Who do I consult in my organization to determine if I qualify for this? I read the regulation, but it does not give me a satisfactory answer. Please clarify.
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37615
My daughter has a degree in Health and Fitness/Exercise Science. She works as an aide for a Physical Therapist for a substandard salary. She is interested in receiving a master's degree but cannot afford it because she is trying to pay off her Stafford loan. Can she qualify for a government forgiveness loan?
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37575
Would you please clarify-- do you have to work for the government for 10 years before they will forgive the loan? If you have worked for them less than 1o years, do they have any kind of prorated forgiveness or on going repayment plan?
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37483
I consulted the HR in my agency and I was told that they dont participate. Why are some agencies elligable and some not? The article made it sound like it was more about what an individual earned that made them elligable. Does the agency have the authority to decide if they want to participate?
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37432
I had been paying federal parents/student loans for my kids attending the college. I had been working for over 20 years with the federal. Does this loan foregiveness also applies to these loans and upto what amount it can?
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37298
Do eligible "public employees" include military members? Many new judge advocates enter with over $100,000 in law school debt, while making $39,500 in basic pay as a new Captain. Same for medical professionals and engineers in the military.
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36398
i am a recent college grad and currently about to enter into the police department, from what i understand is is considered working in the public sector. With nearly 90K in loans, i would hope that this would pull through. still, the bulk of my loans are private stafford loans to be paid over thirty years...does anyone happen to know or who to contact about the specifications on which loans will be forgiven...will it be only federal loans or both private and federal student loans? any help and advice would be appreciated.
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36265
Does this help those of us who have been paying for 17 years and working in the poorest and most remote school districts of this country and are about to retire with more debt than we started with due to high interest, excessive fees, and failure of the symtem to account for garnished wages, and other PAID accounts.
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34617
Working for the public school system in California with over $150 thousand in student loan debt, I am pessimistic that any of this benefit will come my way. I was at least hoping legislature would see the light to allow those of us who are locked into 8.25% loans be allowed to refinance at a lower rate.
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34552
I have heard several rumors regarding which types of loans will qualify for this repayment scheme... does anyone know of a legitimate source which lays out this information in a clear and simple fashion (as opposed to the bill itself)?
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34335
If I understand what I read. The past provision for student loan forgiveness are not valid any longer. If you work as a public servant i.e. public school teacher, policeman, fireman, some section of public health. If you make the minimum income contingent payments for 10 years beginning 10-7-07, the reamining balance on your loans will be forgiven. Better than nothing but not much.
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34236
Even more disheartening to me is my loans weren't Direct loans. I have my loans through Sallie Mae. I tried to consolidate them into a direct loan but Sallie Mae refused to give them up. Currently I owe 75K over the life of my loans it will be more like 140K. as a single mom working in a public library, i have just started to make enough money to have a little surplus at the end of the month. I have been a librarian for almost 10 years!
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34088
Does anyone know how we go about getting this bill active so we get this new so called benefits?
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34004
The text of H.R. 2669 does not state anything about the $5000 in loan cancellation. It does read that after 10 years the remaining interest and principal will be cancelled for those eligible. I was more excited when I first heard about this bill, but now I'm just a bit deflated.
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33684
I just pulled up the information on the Bill. Unfortunately, it looks like the clock starts ticking October 1, 2007 so our past payments are not considered in the 10 year count. Also, it is going to have income tied to it so some people may not qualify. I knew it was too good to be true!
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33676
The people who are against the bill must not have a government job, never had one, or talked to someone in depth with one. The pay is very low. My wife has about $75,000 in student loans from law school after her parents paid for her bachelors degree. She has always wanted to be an assistant states attorney or judge to help the community. I have had many talks with her on working for a law firm and making real money. She is an assistant states attorney now and loves her job regardless of the weak $45,000 salary. She actually took a pay cut from her previous job working for the state of illinois as a legal advisor. I pay $660 in student loan payments a month and they increase as time goes on. I would truly feel sorry for her if she was a single person trying to live. My high income is what lets her take the job she loves, so I'm all for the loan forgiveness program. Although I don't think we will see much of a benefit with my income factored in, it will help others.
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33579
Does this apply to people who are already in progress of repaying loans but are in public service? How do we find that out?
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33551
I've been in government for 11 years and student loans are still an enormous drag for those in major metropolitan areas like DC. I could go private and increase my salary by over 50 percent (not including substantial bonuses) but I choose to stay and serve becuase I believe in what we do. While this relief will not help me I a applaud the bill -- I've already lost too many very good and talented young employees because contractors/private sector pay enough for them to eat, pay rent, pay student loans, and have a few dollars left over.
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33323
Hey, my daughter owes like $70,000. She;s been scraping by on her knuckles working for the Government. The pay is outrageous. This should be retro active to anyone who has been working for the Gov.
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33315
Government subsidization of higher education drives up tuition. Government then subsidizes students for them to afford the higher cost of a college education. Now government wants to forgive student loan debt for people that choose employment with the federal government.
If you borrow money expect to pay it back. It's that simple. I have a sizable debt but don't expect my neighbors to pay it. Be an adult and take responsibility for your choices! The federal workforce is fast becoming a bunch of helpless, mindless, wards of the state. The entitlement mentality is outrageous.
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32979
Will this legislation apply to federal employees working for the Judiciary?
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32973
I think this would be a great program for students that owe lots of money and cannot afford to pay them back because of their income. With limited income paying loans back can be like trying to chop a tree down with a toothpick!
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32915
I think that part of the problem is that this statement from the bill is unclear: "has made 120 monthly payments on the eligible Federal Direct Loan after October 1, 2007..." Is this referring to people who have already made 120 monthly payments on or after 10/2/07, or do the payments all have to be made after 10/1/07?
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32913
The Federal bureaucracy and Congress still does not understand the dynamics of private sector employment. People are NOT looking to stay at one job for 10 years! While government is floundering in trying to find ways to maintain its old, rigid, 1940s personnel system, the private sector has moved to flexibility as it's primary goal. People move around a lot. After 2-3 years, it's on to something new. You will attract and retain better workers in the Federal system by eliminating the barriers to easy transfers within Departments or to other agencies. Streamline the personnel process so that you can make a hiring decision in less than a month, not 8-12. The rigidity of the Federal system is its biggest hinderance to acquiring and retaining top talent.
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32902
Thanks for nothing. I have been in the public sector for 14 years. I have, at the same, time been a member of the national guard. I am a veteran of OIF. I have paid student loans for fourteen years and will be paying for a long time. This bill does nothing for those of us in this position.
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32895
RE: Aurthur's post It looks as if the $5000 forgiveness for "(10) public sector employees" after 5 years did not make it through conference and the 10 year total forgiveness only applies to Direct loans, not FFEL. Read the actual statutory language (not summaries) and compare the orginial House version to the one passed by bot the House and Senate (i.e., the one that will be the law.) My understanding is that most people (75%+) have FFEL loan (think Sallie Mae). Therefore, most of us won't benefit from this at all.
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32875
I am completely against this bill because it will do nothing but make government even bigger than it now is. After all, if we begin to give such welfare to new employees, why should they even try to stay in the public sector? People will flock to the bloated government with the expectation of getting a free education. Pile on top of that the unConstitutional government worker's unions and we will get these debtors that we won't even be able to fire!
We should be looking to fire more of these government loafers, not encouraging MORE to want to flock to these freebie programs and welfare programs. I hope this bill fails miserably.
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32862
This will NOT attract new federal employees, but may retain current ones.
Am I reading this correctly?: "Yes, college student, just 10 SHORT YEARS from now we'll start paying your loans off."
Students and those new to the workforce need more pay/less debt NOW - not 10 years from now. That's 10 years of sweating to make payments, likely for lower Fed pay than in the private sector.
So, I've been paying my loans for 11 years, but only been in the Fed for eight. Does that mean that in two years the Fed will finally help me out (when the loans are about paid for)?
Good job Congress! Way to help out the little guy with smoke and mirrors...
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32838
Arthur: Your are right...it appears that many current employee will be eligible for $5,000 in loan forgiveness right off the bat. However, the repayment clock for those 120 monthly payments begin Ocotber 1, 2007. So current employee would not be eligible until October 2017! This is why this program will help the younger or newly hired federal employees. I am 30 and have $40,000 in debt with a 20 year repayment plan so I might benefit. Also, Congress could always pull the plug on this program at any time or make amendments to the current bill to help out current government employees.
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32815
While it sounds like a great bill, it's not realistic for some of us in the public sector. I am currently paying on my loans under a 30 year repayment plan. Once I started doing this, my budget became extremely tight. I called the loan servicing center to see what my payments would be under the so-called income contingent plan. It would raise my current payments significantly. I can barely afford what I'm paying now, let alone another $150 per month. Considering rent, car, etc., I can't afford to have 25% of my salary used just for student loans. It's just not feasible. After paying all of my bills, I would have a deficit every single month and end up in even more debt than I'm already in. So, while it's a good idea in theory, I don't think it's going to be practical for those of us with large student loan debt (mine is over $85K) because the income contingent payments are just too unrealistic.
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32801
An incentive to retain high-quality employees would be in the best interest of the government and the employee. Unfortunately, some agencies do not realize, use, or recognize their talented employees. The government does not help me with my education. I attend at night, weekends, and must take annual leave for any class or education that I pursue. I have two certs, two BS, two Masters, law degree, and am completing a Doctorate--all at my expense with no financial help.
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32780
This is exact language from the bill. It would appear that current employees are covered (Sect 132), because it doesn't say we are not: " Part C: Rewarding Service in Repayment - (Sec. 131) Provides student loan forgiveness to borrowers under the FFEL or DL programs who serve full-time in areas of national need as: (1) early childhood educators in low-income communities; (2) nurses; (3) critical foreign language specialists who teach in elementary or secondary schools or use such knowledge as federal employees; (4) librarians; (5) highly qualified teachers who teach bilingual education or who teach in schools that enroll a high proportion of disadvantaged students; (6) child welfare workers; (7) speech language pathologists in elementary or secondary schools; (8) National Service participants; (9) school counselors in elementary and secondary schools that enroll a high proportion of disadvantaged students; and (10) public sector employees.
Provides up to $1,000 of student loan forgiveness for each year of service, but limits forgiveness to $5,000 in the aggregate.
(Sec. 132) Directs the Secretary to forgive the balance due on DLs and direct consolidation loans by individuals who have been public sector employees for 10 years and have made 120 income contingent payments on such loans."
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32771
Hopefully everyone realizes we are using tax payer dollars to pay for this. I think that the GOV needs to start paying their employees more, not less like what NSPS will mean, and dump this forgiveness pandering. You guys who support this only look to see that your getting something, and you somehow overlook the big picture. I really need to find out more details about the bill, but i have a serious problem paying off peoples 50k-200k student loans. My student loan is 30k so personally this would work out well for me, but i'm more concerned about our BUDGET....I am the only one?
I thought the last election was supposed to bring about more fiscal responsibility?
Also to me this reeks of socialization...
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32769
I, too, would like to see some provision for current federal employees. I have over 21 years of service. During that time, I completed both my BS and MBA by taking night classes at my own expense. When EDRP became available, I didn't qualify because I am in the wrong field. Let's make some repayment options available to those who have already served and will continue to do so.
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32767
I have been a prosecutor for 7 years. Will this legislation benefit me in any way? I have $45,000.00 in student loans, from law school, alone. I have barely been able to pay the interest, each month. If Congress wants to help government keep the experienced people it has trained, then loans like mine should be forgiven.
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32738
Mention of current employees was conspicuously absent. Yes - I need to hear more about what will happen for me - a current employee of the Federal Government. I was promised Student Loan repayment...until my agency decided it didn't have the money to fund it (they, of course, spend $100,000 at the drop of a hat to relocate SES-ers and Leadership...but whatever). I have a $70,000 student loan and 6 years of Federal service. Do I get the $5,000 taken off the top? Will my loan be forgiven? Hmmmmm?
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32709
This is great for new hires, although all education and training is directed towards new hires. How about some programs to retrain and cross-train employees already in federal service. There are supposed to be some, but with no funding and no emphasis put on them no one can take advantage of the programs.
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32688
the person that made the comment about forgiving debt must not work for the federal government. I have worked for the federal goverenment as a full time college student and am now out of school and continued employment with the federal government. I have about 40,000 in student loans. It is hard to pay off my student loans while paying the rest of the bills. I am not considering getting a masters which will add another 40,000 in student loans. No one in their right mind would stay in the federal government with that amount of loans with the salaries they offer. With this incentive not only will it bring more people back to the federal government but it will allow the government to retain some of its employees.
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32673
I think this is great regardless of age. I came into the federal government about 8 years ago. I came out of law school with about 90,000 in student loan debt and started my federal govt job making $34,102. I was a single parent. I would welcome the govt taking these loans off my back. Further, it may be an incentive for others to further their education and stay in the federal government. We need hard workers.
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32666
I agree. I worked for the feds 29.5 years now. I went to college at night while supporting my self and son..paid for college too, for the most part, cause I didn't get any free tuition rides that my agency now offers..and now after 10 years of repayment the clock doesn't start till oct 2007. Sounds discriminatory to me if you ask me. I am not anywhere near 50 either.
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32665
Wow. Judging by the comments on this article, I guess some people really would complain if they were hung with a new rope. Did it ever occur to anyone that perhaps this is the start of better things to come for Federal employees, rather than the end? I will benefit from this program personally, and I knew that eventually something like this would happen.
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32653
let the free market determine what the salary will be. If we can't get Qualified employees, maybe we need to increase the salaries. Forgiving debt is not a good idea.
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32650
How about offering college incentives for those already working for the Federal Government? I have worked 15 years as a public servant & don't qualify for the little that is offered. I will leave the service when something better comes along so that I can either afford school or repay my student loans. I'm still young and I have a future to think of.
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32649
I read the conference report and this bill will not help federal employees who have been working and paying their student loans for many years. You must have 10 years of service which is not difficult for many current employees to attain. However, you also have to be paying your loans monthly for 10 years. The clock on paying your loans for 10 years starts on October 1, 2007. This program will help new employees with large student loans who have taken out a 20 year repayment plan and are planning on a career in the federal government. Also, nothing stops Congress from repealing this legislation either...
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32647
Deborah: I feel for you. I share it. We should start a publicity campaign and find all the people who were promised loan forgives and got loan payments. It might keep anyone with loans from ever being a civil serf again.
All: I'd like everyone to take a deep breath and think for a minute about incentives and pay. One of the big determinants of how wealthy you are gonna end up is how much money you make in salary right after your degree. Generally true in all organizations, from the NFL down to the Fed Government, excluding theoretical lottery winners. If you get a grad degree, that post grad paycheck is a good indicator, too.
Now, the carrot here is to take a lower paying job (if you have an MBA, and you come into gov below GS-14 right out of school, you're making a sub-average wage... really), and you get some relief. Now, assume $45K in government loans, at a 4% interest, spread over 20 years. You're looking at payments of $270/month, or a total of $65,500 in total payments. Now, take an average MBA graduate salary, we like round numbers, so $80K/year. We could increase it by 5% yearly, but we don't have to, if we just hold all salaries flat. You come into gov. service at GS-9 (two year grad degree), or ~$45K. You get $5K knocked off your loans. That reduces your payment to ~$240/month. $30/month, or $360 a year. But wait, your salary has been reduced by $35,000 a year.
Now, you make your ten years of payments: MBA Priv: $3240/year = $32,400 MBA Civ: $2880/year = $28,800 Your loan principle has been reduced to: MBA Priv: ~$27000 MBA Civ: ~$23800 Your total earnings have been: MBA Priv: $800,000 MBA Civ: $450,000 We can ignore taxes (obviously MBA Priv pays more, but not that much more), and suggest that loans are the only expense. MBA Priv has kept: Nearly $775K MBA Civ has kept: Nearly $425K
I think the math shows that, even net taxes, even net cost of living, the private sector guy, assuming he's managed to stay employed, is way ahead. Way ahead. And given that I've built an unrealistically flat salary architecture, the loan payments the private MBA is making are very small. Even with total forgiveness, he's still way ahead.
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32645
I graduated from college in 2002 and have worked for the federal government for 26 years. I retire in 1 year 10 months. I will be repaying student loans until I am 78 years old. Will this new bill give me any relief. My payments will be $200 per month starting in November. That is a lot from a retirement check.
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32643
Please clarify whether or not this benefit will be available for existing civil servants or just new hires after the bill is signed?
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32633
This, of course, will no doubt lead to immediate calls for extending the same forgiveness provisions to ALL student loan borrowers in the interest of "fairness" - representing yet another run on the U.S. Treasury to bail out those who incurred a finacial obligation without giving adequate - if any - thought as to how it was to be repaid. And does anyone truly believe in the fairy tale that this will be "cost neutral"? (If so, I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I can sell to him/her very cheaply.) Yet another laughable aspect of this is the claim that banks were drawing "excessive fees" as a justification, which again betrays politicians' inability or unwillingness to comprehend the basics of economics or finance in a capitalist society. The rank smell of hypocrisy is pervasive in all this, as is depressingly typical of our "honorable" legislative solons.
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32630
I worked and saved my money all through Jr. High and High School. Then I worked all through College and paid for everything myself. Why do you want to reward people for doing it the wrong way?
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32627
I have 16 years of service with the Federal government, and still have $13,000 outstanding student loan debt. Does this mean all of this debt will be forgiven?
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32620
I have been working for the Navy as a Civilian for just over 5 years and it would be nice to have something like this available to government workers but $5000 up front is too little in my opinion and then forgiving the remaining portion of the student loan after 10 years of payment seems a little weak too because most studen loans repayment schedules are only for a period of 10 years. Its also likely only this will only be offered to people in the DC area because I heard of a "signing bonus" being avaliable when I started working that was the same loan forgivness but HR said I wasn't eligible because I wasn't working in the DC area.
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32609
Loan forgiveness is great! However, with so many agencies relocating, closing, etc., it is difficult to hold on to a government position for 10 years. Is it 10 years of consecutive service, or can there be a break in service? $5,000 is too little. Most student loan debt is over $30,000. This is little incentive to be underpaid for 10 years.
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32600
While I am pleased that Congress took this action. What about the federal workers who may already have large student loan balances and (from my reading) will not get any relief from this bill?
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32592
Is the SSA included as part of the public service profession? I am due to begin repayment of student loans in November 2007. I have been working for SSA since June, 2006. Can I take advantage of any assistance offered by the Federal Government considering the year that I have put in thus far?
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32587
5K, that would not even cover the interest rate on most school loans. Instead of worring about school loans, how about getting us out of Iraq or maybe how about we get that guy... bin laden, you know the one responsible for 9/11.
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32585
Does anyone know when the 10 year period begins? I have 5 years of service with the government when this bill is signed by the President. Do those years of service count towards the 10 years of service?
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32580
This appears to be a good way to capture new and eager staff for the agencies, but what about employees who have worked 25 years have attended school to further their education and have student loans. Agencies especially VA need to consider this for their Title 5 employees who are experiencing this.
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32577
This is so bogus and was proved to be so. The perks for fed jobs already far exceed those in the private sector.
Urban areas may have more a problem due to competition from larger corporations. But over all, in suburbia and rural areas, fed jobs pay much MUCH more than the private sector. Aside from professional jobs in the health care field, attorneys, and small business owners themselves, people up here whittle away at $10/hr jobs. Many people here - and no doubt across most of the U.S. - have a second p/t job just to make ends meet. Federal jobs in our states are limited and not easy to access unless you are connected. Equal opportunity is a joke because we're not all "equal" in the eyes of the gov't.
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32569
There is no mention of retro action for this bill. The agency I work for promised to help with payback of student loans for the group I was hired with because we were hired as outstanding students. This was one of the perks. Because we made the mistake of believing and trusting the spokespersons without having anything in writing,we still owe money on student loans. The agency never followed through with the promise. This was six years ago. What about us?
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32513
I completed my degree in Dec. 1997, and in my 28th year with the Federal Government. Would like to know if I would be included in this program?
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32496
This bill sounds good; but, when I enlisted I wasn't thinking about college any more and I can't buy into the GI Bill to use for my MBA. I used all the Tuition Assistance long before I completed the courses. I have about 2 years before I can retire. Will this help me out between now and the next chapter in my life for another vocation? Thanks!!
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