Public Service

This application is used for the following types of cancellations:

Fire Fighter Cancellation

Payments on Federal Perkins student loans may be cancelled for specified professional services. If your loan is eligible for cancellation, the account will be placed in deferment status and you will not receive a loan billing statement during that period of time.

After completion of one full year of service as a full-time fire fighter, a portion of your loan will be cancelled. To determine the percentage of cancellation for each year of service, please refer to the cancellation rate chart.

Eligibility

You must be a full-time fire fighter for service to a local, state, or federal fire department or fire district. A firefighter is an individual who is employed by a federal, state, or local firefighting agency to extinguish destructive fires or provide firefighting related services such as conducting search and rescue, providing hazardous materials (HAZMAT) mitigation, or providing community disaster support and, as a first responder, providing emergency medical services.

Additionally, your loan must be paid to the start of your cancellation period.

Applying for a Full-Time Fire Fighter Cancellation

There are two ways to apply:

Penn State
Student Financial Services
108 Shields Building
664 Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802

Fax: 814-865-6535
  • Contact our office by letter or via the Web with the following information:
    • full name, address, and phone number of your current employer
    • date you were hired full-time
    • detailed description of your duties

When your documentation is received, our office will send you a notification of eligibility. If you are eligible, you will be notified of your deferment coverage and a cancellation form(s) will be enclosed. Please submit your cancellation form(s) approximately one month prior to the expiration of your deferment.

Once your completed and certified cancellation form(s) is returned to our office, it will be reviewed for final approval. Once approved and your outstanding balance has been reduced through cancellation, you will receive a notification letter and a new cancellation form(s) from our office. Your loan(s) will be automatically deferred for the following year, pending the completion and submission of the new cancellation form(s).

Termination of Employment

If your employment is terminated for any reason, you will receive a grace period of six months from the date of termination. Payments are not required and interest will not accrue during the grace period. Upon termination, please contact our office immediately for further information.

Other Options

If your loan is not eligible for a Full-Time Fire Fighter Cancellation and you are unable to meet your scheduled payments, you may apply for an economic hardship deferment or forbearance.

Law Enforcement/Corrections Officer Cancellation

Payments on Federal Perkins student loans may be cancelled for specified professional services. If your loan is eligible for cancellation, the account will be placed in deferment status and you will not receive a loan billing statement during that period of time.

After completion of one full year of service in a law enforcement/correction officer field, a percentage of your loan will be cancelled. To determine the percentage of cancellation for each year of service, please refer to the cancellation rate chart.

Eligibility

You must be a full-time law enforcement or corrections officer for an eligible employing agency.

To establish the eligibility of a borrower for the law enforcement or corrections officer cancellation provision, the school must determine that (1) the borrower's employing agency is eligible and that (2) the borrower's position is essential to the agency's primary mission.

A local, state, or federal agency is an eligible employing agency if it is publicly funded and its activities pertain to crime prevention, control, or reduction, or to the enforcement of the criminal law. Such activities include but are not limited to-

  • police efforts to prevent, control, or reduce crime or to apprehend criminals;
  • activities of courts and related agencies having criminal jurisdiction;
  • activities of corrections, probation, or parole authorities; and
  • the prevention, control, or reduction of juvenile delinquency or narcotic addiction.

Agencies that are primarily responsible for enforcement of civil, regulatory, or administrative laws are ineligible. However, because the activities of many divisions and bureaus within local, state, and federal agencies pertain to crime prevention, control, or reduction, or to the enforcement of criminal law, a sub-unit within a larger, non-law enforcement agency may qualify as a law enforcement agency for purposes of a law enforcement cancellation.

For the borrower's position to be considered essential to the agency's primary mission, he or she must be a full-time employee of an eligible agency and a sworn law enforcement or corrections officer or person whose principal responsibilities are unique to the criminal justice system and are essential in the performance of the agency's primary mission. The agency must be able to document the employee's functions. Examples of positions that are considered essential to a law enforcement agency's primary mission and that are unique to the criminal justice system include prosecuting attorneys whose primary responsibilities are to prosecute criminal cases on behalf of law enforcement agencies, forensic scientists, and latent fingerprint examiners.

Individuals whose official responsibilities are supportive, such as those that involve typing; filing; accounting; office procedures; purchasing; stock control; food service; transportation; or building, equipment, or grounds maintenance, are not eligible for the law enforcement or correction officer loan cancellation, regardless of where these functions are performed.

Additionally, your account must be paid to the start of your cancellation period.

Application Process

There are two ways to apply:

Penn State 
Student Financial Services
108 Shields Building
664 Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802

Fax: 814-865-6535
  • Contact our office by letter or via the Web with the following information:
    • full name, address, and phone number of your current employer
    • date you were hired full-time
    • detailed description of your duties

When your documentation is received, our office will send you a notification of eligibility. If you are eligible, you will be notified of your deferment coverage and a cancellation form(s) will be enclosed. Please submit your cancellation form(s) approximately one month prior to the expiration of your deferment.

Once your completed and certified cancellation form(s) is returned to our office, it will be reviewed for final approval. Once approved and your outstanding balance has been reduced through cancellation, you will receive a notification letter and a new cancellation form(s) from our office. Your loan(s) will be automatically deferred for the following year, pending the completion and submission of the new cancellation form(s).

Termination of Employment

If your employment is terminated for any reason, you will receive a grace period of six months from the date of termination. Payments are not required and interest will not accrue during the grace period. Upon termination, please contact our office immediately for further information.

Other Options

If your loan is not eligible for a Law Enforcement/Corrections Officer Cancellation and you are unable to meet your scheduled payments, you may apply for an economic hardship deferment or forbearance.

Nurse/Medical Technician Cancellation

Payments on Federal Perkins student loans may be cancelled for specified professional services. If your loan is eligible for cancellation, the account will be placed in deferment status and you will not receive a loan billing statement during that period of time.

After completion of one full year of service as a nurse/medical technician, a percentage of your loan will be cancelled. To determine the percentage of cancellation for each year of service, please refer to the cancellation rate chart.

Eligibility

You must be a full-time nurse or medical technician providing health care services. The borrower must provide health care services directly to patients.

For purposes of this cancellation-

  • a nurse is a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, or other individual who is licensed by the appropriate state agency to provide nursing services.
  • a medical technician is an allied health professional (working in fields such as therapy, dental hygiene, medical technology, or nutrition) who is certified, registered, or licensed by the appropriate state agency in the state in which he or she provides health care services; an allied health professional is someone who assists, facilitates, or complements the work of physicians and other specialists in the health care system.

Additionally, your loan must be paid to the start of your cancellation period.

Application Process

There are two ways to apply:

  1. Submit an application
Penn State 
Student Financial Services
108 Shields Building
664 Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802

Fax: 814-865-6535
  1. Contact our office by letter or via the Web with the following information:
    • full name, address, and phone number of your current employer
    • date you were hired full-time
    • detailed description of your duties

When your documentation is received, our office will send you a notification of eligibility. If you are eligible, you will be notified of your deferment coverage and a cancellation form(s) will be enclosed. Please submit your cancellation form(s) approximately one month prior to the expiration of your deferment.

Once your completed and certified cancellation form(s) is returned to our office, it will be reviewed for final approval. Once approved and your outstanding balance has been reduced through cancellation, you will receive a notification letter and a new cancellation form(s) from our office. Your loan(s) will be automatically deferred for the following year, pending the completion and submission of the new cancellation form(s).

Termination of Employment

If your employment is terminated for any reason, you will receive a grace period of six months from the date of termination. Payments are not required and interest will not accrue during the grace period. Upon termination, please contact our office immediately for further information.

Other Options

If your loan is not eligible for a Nurse/Medical Technician Cancellation and you are unable to meet your scheduled payments, you may apply for an economic hardship deferment or forbearance.

Military Service Cancellation

Payments on Federal Perkins student loans may be cancelled for military service. If your loan is eligible for cancellation, the account will be placed in deferment status and you will not receive a loan billing statement during that period of time.

After completion of one (1) full year of military service in an eligible area, a percentage of your loan will be cancelled. To determine the percentage of cancellation for each year of service, please refer to the cancellation rate chart.

Eligibility

To qualify for military service cancellation, you must be enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces and assigned to an area of hostility or an area of imminent danger that qualifies for special pay under Section 310 of Title 37 of the U.S. Code. Additionally, your account must be paid to the start of your cancellation period.

Applying for a Military Service Cancellation

Once you become a full-time member of the military, there are two (2) ways to apply for a military service cancellation:

Penn State 
Student Financial Services
108 Shields Building
664 Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802

Fax: 814-865-6535
  • Contact our office by letter or via the Web with the following information:
    • full name, address, and phone number of your current employer
    • date you were hired full-time
    • detailed description of your duties

Once your Deferment Application for Partial Cancellation is received, our office will send you a notification of eligibility. If you are eligible, you will be notified of your deferment coverage and a cancellation form(s) will be enclosed. Please submit your cancellation form(s) approximately one (1) month prior to the expiration of your deferment.

Once your completed and certified cancellation form(s) is returned to our office, it will be reviewed for final approval. Once approved and your outstanding balance has been reduced through cancellation, you will receive a notification letter and a new cancellation form(s) from our office. Your loan(s) will be automatically deferred for the following year, pending the completion and submission of the new cancellation form(s).

Termination of Employment

If your employment is terminated for any reason, you will receive a grace period of six (6) months from the date of termination. Principal and interest will not accrue during the grace period. Upon termination, please contact our office immediately for further information.

What are my options if I am not eligible for a Military Service Cancellation?

If your loan is not eligible for a military service cancellation and you are unable to meet your scheduled payments, you may apply for an economic hardship deferment or forbearance.

Peace Corps Cancellation

Payments on Federal Perkins student loans may be cancelled for Peace Corps service. If your loan is eligible for cancellation, the account will be placed in deferment status and you will not receive a loan billing statement during that period of time.

After completion of one full year of Peace Corps service, a percentage of your loan will be cancelled. To determine the percentage of cancellation for each year of service, please refer to the cancellation rate chart.

Eligibility

To qualify for Peace Corps volunteer cancellation, you must serve as a Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA (under Title I, Part A of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973) volunteer. An authorized official of the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA program must sign the borrower's cancellation form to certify the borrower's service.

AmeriCorps volunteers do not qualify for this cancellation unless their volunteer service is with AmeriCorps VISTA. An AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer may only qualify for this cancellation if the AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer elects not to receive a national service education award for his or her volunteer service. The AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer must provide appropriate documentation showing that the volunteer has declined the AmeriCorps national service education award.

Additionally, your loan must be paid to the start of your cancellation period.

Application Process

There are two ways to apply:

  1. Submit an application
Penn State 
Student Financial Services
108 Shields Building
664 Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802

Fax: 814-865-6535
  1. Contact our office by letter or via the Web with the following information:
    • full name, address, and phone number of your current employer
    • date you were hired full-time
    • detailed description of your duties

When your documentation is received, our office will send you a notification of eligibility. If you are eligible, you will be notified of your deferment coverage and a cancellation form(s) will be enclosed. Please submit your cancellation form(s) approximately one month prior to the expiration of your deferment.

Once your completed and certified cancellation form(s) is returned to our office, it will be reviewed for final approval. Once approved and your outstanding balance has been reduced through cancellation, you will receive a notification letter and a new cancellation form(s) from our office. Your loan(s) will be automatically deferred for the following year, pending the completion and submission of the new cancellation form(s).

Termination of Employment

If your employment is terminated for any reason, you will receive a grace period of six months from the date of termination. Payments are not required and interest will not accrue during the grace period. Upon termination, please contact our office immediately for further information.

Other Options

If your loan is not eligible for a Peace Corps volunteer cancellation and you are unable to meet your scheduled payments, you may apply for an economic hardship deferment or forbearance.

Lawyer Employed by a Public Defender Organization Cancellation

Payments on Federal Perkins student loans may be cancelled for specified professional services. If your loan is eligible for cancellation, the account will be placed in deferment status and you will not receive a loan billing statement during that period of time.

After completion of one full year of service as a lawyer employed by a public defender organization, a portion of your loan will be cancelled. To determine the percentage of cancellation for each year of service, please refer to the cancellation rate chart.

Eligibility

You must be a full-time attorney employed in federal public defender organizations or community defender organizations (see sidebar), are eligible for public defender cancellations.

For purposes of this cancellation

  • a community defender organization is a defender organization established in accordance with section 3006A(g)(2)(B) of Title 18, United States Code; and
  • a federal public defender organization is a defender organization established in accordance with section 3006A(g)(2)(A) of Title 18, United States Code.

Cancellations are for eligible service on or after August 14, 2008, regardless of whether information on the expansion of this cancellation category appears on the borrower's promissory note.

Additionally, your loan must be paid to the start of your cancellation period.

Application Process

There are two ways to apply:

  1. Submit an application
Penn State 
Student Financial Services
108 Shields Building
664 Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802

Fax: 814-865-6535
  1. Contact our office by letter or via the Web with the following information:
    • full name, address, and phone number of your current employer
    • date you were hired full-time
    • detailed description of your duties

When your documentation is received, our office will send you a notification of eligibility. If you are eligible, you will be notified of your deferment coverage and a cancellation form(s) will be enclosed. Please submit your cancellation form(s) approximately one month prior to the expiration of your deferment.

Once your completed and certified cancellation form(s) is returned to our office, it will be reviewed for final approval.

Once approved and your outstanding balance has been reduced through cancellation, you will receive a notification letter and a new cancellation form(s) from our office. Your loan(s) will be automatically deferred for the following year, pending the completion and submission of the new cancellation form(s).

Termination of Employment

If your employment is terminated for any reason, you will receive a grace period of six months from the date of termination. Payments are not required and interest will not accrue during the grace period. Upon termination, please contact our office immediately for further information.

Other Options

If your loan is not eligible for a Full-Time Public Defender Cancellation and you are unable to meet your scheduled payments, you may apply for an economic hardship deferment or forbearance.