20+ Programs and Grants to Help With Student Loans

Repaying student loans can feel overwhelming. But thankfully, there are programs and grants that could help you pay off your loans faster or even eliminate your student debt altogether. 

From federal relief programs and career-based loan forgiveness to volunteer opportunities and post-graduation scholarships, this guide is designed to help you explore more than 20 programs and grants that could help you pay off student loans.

Federal Student Loan Relief Programs

The following US government programs are available to provide student loan cancellation or forgiveness for those who are eligible:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): If you’ve made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full time for qualifying employers in the public service sector, you could be eligible for forgiveness of your remaining federal student loan balances.
• Federal Perkins Loan Forgiveness: If you have a Federal Perkins Loan and work in teaching, health care or law enforcement, you could be eligible to have your loan forgiven or partially forgiven. You could also be eligible if you’re in the military, work for a nonprofit or work with people with disabilities. 
• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan Forgiveness: Under the new Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) program, you could be eligible for full loan forgiveness after 10 years of monthly payments. SAVE replaced the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) Repayment Plan in 2023.

Note that these programs may change in the future. For more information about federal student loans, check out the Federal Student Aid website. To explore other programs and current grants to pay off student loans, visit the National Consumer Law Center’s student loan resource hub.

Servicemember Student Loan Grants and Programs

Other student loan forgiveness programs are based on military service, including: 

Army

• College Loan Repayment Program: The program reimburses a maximum of $65,000 over a 3-year period of honorable regular Army service to qualified servicemembers. 
• National Guard Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): Eligibility varies based on your status. However, qualifying National Guard Members may receive a maximum reimbursement payment of up to $7,500 per year of service.

Navy

• Loan Repayment Program: This program gives Navy personnel up to $65,000 toward federally guaranteed student loans over a maximum 3-year term. The annual amount of the grant is up to 33.3% of the outstanding loan balance or $1,500 per year, whichever is larger. For information, check with your Navy contact.

Air Force

• Judge Advocate General’s Corps Student Loan Repayment Program (JA-SLRP): Eligible JAGs can apply for up to $65,000 toward student loan repayment. Payments are made directly to a qualified lender over a 3-year period. 

Volunteer Programs With Student Loan Debt Relief

Volunteering offers a unique path to tackle your student loans while gaining valuable experience and making a difference. In fact, some programs offer direct student loan relief, including:

• AmeriCorps: After completing an AmeriCorps term of service and enrolling in the National Service Trust, members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. The maximum amount of the award changes yearly based on the Pell Grant amount. In 2022-2023, it was $6,895.
• Peace Corps: While there is no monetary grant for service, you can defer federal student loan payments during your Peace Corps service. If you have Perkins Loans, you may be eligible for partial forgiveness of 15% to 70% of the balance after completing your service commitment and meeting other requirements.
• Shared Harvest Fund: This program uses a point system instead of direct grant awards. You can earn points through volunteering, then redeem them for student loan debt relief in varying amounts depending on the program’s partnerships and available funding.

Careers That Could Help You Pay Off Student Loans

Did you know that some careers come with opportunities for student loan forgiveness? These programs reward dedicated professionals in essential fields by erasing a portion–or even all–of their debt.

Health Care

• National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program: There is no fixed grant amount; repayment awards vary. Applicants stationed in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) could earn award amounts of up to $50,000 for 2 years of service. 
• NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program: Students in their final year of medical, nursing or dental school can apply to receive up to $120,000 in loan repayment funds ($30,000 over 4 years) if they meet program requirements.
• Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program: Registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses and nurse faculty could have up to 85% of their nursing education debt forgiven if they work in designated areas. 
• Indian Health Services (IHS) Loan Repayment Program: This program awards up to $50,000 in loan repayment for health professionals committing to 2 years of service in facilities serving First Nations communities. 
• Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program: Serve rural communities with veterinary care, and you could get up to $75,000 of your student loans forgiven.

Education

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program: Commit to 5 years of teaching in low-income schools, and you could get up to $17,500 of your federal student loans forgiven.

Legal

• Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program: Work for the Department of Justice, and you could receive up to $6,000 (up to $60,000 lifetime max) toward your federal student loans after a 3-year commitment.
• John R. Justice (JRJ) Grant Program: After 3 to 6 years of service, public defenders and state prosecutors are eligible for up to $10,000 per year ($60,000 in total) in student loan relief.
• Herbert S. Garten Loan Repayment Assistance Program: Attorneys with at least $75,000 in student debt and who are working with one of the program’s grantees can be selected through a lottery system. Those selected may receive forgivable loans for up to 3 years, totaling as much as $5,600. 

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Loan Repayment Programs: Researchers working on research considered critical by the NIH are eligible for loan relief of up to $50,000 per year (maximum 2 years). Employment by NIH isn’t a prerequisite. 

Post-Graduation Scholarships for Loan Relief

Remember those scholarships you chased before college? Fortunately, scholarships aren’t just for pre-grads. Post-graduation scholarships exist to help graduates tackle student loan debt:

• State-Specific Programs: Many states offer post-graduation scholarships for various fields such as health care, education and technology. Research your state’s education department website for available options.
• Industry-Specific Awards: Professional organizations and companies sometimes offer scholarships or grants to pay off student loans. Reach out to relevant associations and check their websites for potential opportunities.
• Private Company Incentives: Increasingly, employers are offering student loan repayment and reimbursement as part of a total rewards or total compensation package. Even if not explicitly listed as a benefit, you may find that a potential employer is willing to negotiate this benefit with you.

Learn More in Our College Planning Resource Center

You don’t have to navigate student loan repayment alone. As you’re researching scholarships, programs or grants to pay off student loans, be sure to check out Navy Federal Credit Union’s College Planning resource center. You’ll find a wealth of support to help you conquer your student loan debt and achieve financial freedom.

Visit our College Planning resource center today or schedule a consultation with a Navy Federal financial counselor for personalized guidance on repaying student loans.