The Department of Education has released the final regulations that govern the Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income-Based Repayment programs of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. Although the final regulations are significantly similar to the previously issued proposed rules, there are some important clarifications and changes. Click here for the full release and highlights of the regulations.

Before issuing these final regulations, the Department considered public comments on the proposed rules. More than 1,700 comments were received and most of the comments addressed the public service loan forgiveness program. A majority of those comments were from law schools, law students, legal aid centers, clinics and associations, public interest attorneys and public defenders. Comments overwhelmingly supported Public Service Loan Forgiveness as an important tool for recruiting and retaining public servants.

I am thankful to the many members of the legal community who have been incredibly supportive of our efforts to reduce the financial barriers to public service. As always, we will continue reporting on developments in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act and other pieces of debt relief legislation.

-Heather