I can't believe it: $300k in student loan forgiveness just hit my account!

[BenFoller]

I'm writing this through tears of joy and disbelief. I just logged into my account to check something boring, and my balance is GONE. Completely zero. I had to refresh the page like five times. I have been a physician for several years now, working at a non-profit teaching hospital, and I've been in the PSLF program since residency. The weight of that $300,000+ balance has been crushing.

It felt like a monster living in my computer, constantly growing despite my payments. I honestly structured my whole career around pursuing this student loan forgiveness, turning down higher-paying private practice jobs to stay in public service. And it actually worked.

The contract was honored. This forgiveness means I can finally start living my life. I can think about buying a house. I can think about saving for my kids' college (without feeling like a total hypocrite!). I can maybe even take a vacation that isn't visiting family. To everyone who is grinding away in public service, making those 120 payments, just know that it is possible.

The system is messy and slow, but relief does come. I am so, so grateful today. Thank you to everyone in this forum for the support and info along the way!

 

[Darine]

This is what we all dream about when we make those 120 payments and wonder if it's actually going to work. You're proof that it does.

I'm a social worker five years into PSLF and some days it feels impossible. Posts like yours keep me going. That moment when the monster disappears... I can only imagine.

The part about "structuring your whole career around this" really hit me. We make these huge life choices based on a promise, and there's always that fear it won't be honored. You just gave thousands of us a little more faith.

Now go enjoy that money! You've been paying for it with your service for years. This is yours.