Douglas Olsen
With the ever-increasing cost of education, many students are burdened by student loan debt. Fortunately, there are grants available to help pay off student loans. These grants are offered by federal and state governments, as well as nonprofit organisations and even some employers. While some grants may be easy to get, most come with service or employment requirements. Additionally, many grants are specific to certain professions, such as teachers, lawyers, medical professionals, and members of the military. These grants can provide much-needed financial relief and help individuals pursue their academic and professional goals without the burden of overwhelming debt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Americans with student loan debt | 40-45 million |
| Total student loan debt in the United States | $1.7 trillion - $1.8 trillion |
| Average student loan debt | $37,000 |
| Student debt increase rate compared to the economy | Six times faster |
| Companies offering student loan repayment programs | Aetna, Google, SoFi, PwC |
| Federal government loan forgiveness programs | Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) |
| State-based grants | Twenty-four states offer loan repayment programs for lawyers working in public interest law |
| Grants for healthcare professionals | National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) |
| Grants for lawyers | John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program, Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program, Legal Services Corporation (LSC) |
| Grants for teachers | Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF), Teacher Development Grants, Shared Harvest Fund |
| Grants for military members | College Loan Repayment Program, Department of Defense Repayment |
| Grants for journalists | Loan Repayment Assistance Program for Nonprofit Journalists |
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What You'll Learn
Grants for lawyers
Grants are a form of financial aid that, unlike scholarships, can be used to pay off student loans. While scholarships are usually merit-based, grants are typically need-based. Grants can be provided by the federal government, state governments, or organizations. Many grants are career-based, providing funds to qualified individuals in specific careers.
Lawyers can access various grants and loan repayment programs to help pay off their student loans. Here are some options for grants and loan forgiveness programs specifically for lawyers:
Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program
Attorneys and other employees working in the Department of Justice can receive grants of up to $6,000 per year, with a lifetime limit of $60,000. This program is open to attorneys with at least $10,000 in federal student loan debt and requires three years of service.
John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program
This program provides money to states to help public defenders or state prosecutors with their student loan debt. The specific details of the program vary by state. Prosecutors and public defenders can receive up to $10,000 per year through this program.
State Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
Twenty-four states offer loan repayment programs for lawyers working in public interest law. These programs can assist lawyers in paying off their law school debt.
Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Forgivable Loans
The LSC offers forgivable loans of up to $10,000 to help attorneys repay their law school debt. To qualify, attorneys must have at least $75,000 in student debt and work full-time with an LSC-approved grantee.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
PSLF is a federal program that provides loan forgiveness for a wide range of public service employees, including lawyers working for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other qualifying employers. After 120 qualifying payments, the remaining loan balance is forgiven.
In addition to these lawyer-specific grants and programs, there are other opportunities for lawyers to obtain grants to pay off their student loans, such as state-specific grants, military grants, or grants provided by employers as part of their benefits packages. It is important to research and explore the various options available to find the ones that best fit your specific circumstances.
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Grants for teachers
Grants are a unique form of financial aid that can help current students or graduates pay off their student loans. While scholarships are often only used for tuition, grants are more flexible and can be used to pay down loans taken out for college expenses.
Teachers have several options for loan forgiveness programs. Here are some of the grants available for teachers:
Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) Program
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) Program offers up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for teachers who devote five complete and consecutive academic years to teaching in a low-income area. To qualify for TLF, you must teach full-time at an eligible school, and at least one of those years must be after the 1997-98 academic year. Additionally, you must have been a new borrower on or after October 1, 1998. Certain highly qualified special education and secondary mathematics or science teachers can also qualify for up to $17,500 in forgiveness.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after 120 qualifying payments (a minimum of 10 years). Unlike TLF, PSLF does not require you to teach at a low-income public school. Instead, you must work for a qualifying employer, such as a government organization at any level or a tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
Perkins Loan Cancellation for Teachers
Perkins Loan Cancellation for Teachers can forgive up to 100% of your Federal Perkins Loan(s) if you teach full-time at a low-income school or teach certain subjects. Qualifying teachers with Perkins Loans teach high-needs subjects or work in low-income schools. However, it's important to note that there haven't been any new Perkins Loans distributed since 2017, so this option is only available to those who received their loans before that year.
In addition to these federal programs, many states also offer loan forgiveness programs for teachers, especially if you teach in a high-need area. It is recommended to reach out to your state's education agency for detailed information on state-specific programs.
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Grants for medical professionals
The cost of obtaining a college degree has skyrocketed, forcing many students to rely on loans to finance their education. Luckily, there are grants and loan repayment programs available to help medical professionals alleviate their student debt. Here are some options to consider:
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program
The NHSC offers loan repayment assistance to medical, dental, and nursing students in their final year of school. Participants can receive up to $120,000 in repayment assistance in exchange for providing healthcare services for three years (or six years if working part-time) at an NHSC-approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). This program aims to serve communities with limited access to medical facilities and services.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
The HRSA offers student loan grants for nursing professionals. While specific grant amounts were not found, it is worth exploring their website for more information.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs)
The NIH offers loan repayment programs of up to $50,000 per year to help repay doctoral-level degrees. These grants are available for medical professionals interested in pursuing research. You can apply for renewals in one- and two-year increments until your total student loan debt is repaid, and you don't have to be employed by the NIH to apply.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Research Grants
The NIMH offers research grants in the field of mental health. While specific grant amounts were not found, their website may provide further details.
Military Student Loan Relief
If you have served in the military after attending college, you may be eligible for military student loan relief programs. For example, the Army Reserve College Loan Repayment Program can pay for 15% of your student loan balance up to $20,000 if you enlist in the army for at least six years.
Employer-Provided Grants
Some companies offer student loan repayment programs as part of their employee benefits. Examples include Aetna, Google, SoFi, and PwC. These programs often match employee payments up to a certain amount annually, helping to reduce student loan debt.
It is important to note that guidelines and requirements for grants may vary, and it is always a good idea to explore a variety of options and stay informed about grant opening and closing dates.
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Grants for military personnel
The cost of college tuition has skyrocketed over the past few decades, forcing many students to rely on loans to finance their education. Luckily, there are several grants available to help current students and graduates pay down their student loans. These grants are offered by the federal government, state governments, and nonprofit organizations.
Military personnel can also benefit from several grant programs to help manage their student loan debt. Here are some examples of grants for military personnel:
Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): This program is for active-duty members who agree to serve in specific roles or occupations. The Army, Navy, and Coast Guard offer this program, with varying repayment amounts. The Army and Navy will repay up to $65,000, while the Coast Guard will repay up to $30,000. The National Guard's repayment amount is up to $50,000. It is important to note that benefits can fluctuate based on funding issues and specific military specialties.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): This program is designed for service members who work in qualifying public service positions. After completing each year of active duty, the service branch will make a payment of 1/3 or $1,500 (whichever is greater) on the remaining original unpaid principal balance.
Army Student Loan Repayment: Active Duty: This program offers loan repayment assistance to individuals on active duty in the Army. To qualify, you must enlist for at least three years and score 50 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). The Army will pay up to 33.33% of your principal balance each year for three years, with a maximum repayment of $65,000.
Army Reserve College Loan Repayment Program: This program is for those in a qualifying Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). You must enlist for at least six years and have loans before going on active duty. The program will pay 15% of your loan balance up to $20,000, primarily for federal student loans.
Health Professions Loan Repayment Program: This program assists
It is important to carefully review the eligibility requirements and terms of each program before applying. Additionally, some companies, such as Aetna, Google, SoFi, and PwC, offer student loan repayment programs as part of their employee benefits. These programs can provide additional support in managing student loan debt.
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Grants for graduates working in non-profits
Grants are a great way to fund your education and relieve the burden of student loan debt. While grants to pay off student loans are a specific form of financial aid, they can be a great help to current students or graduates. Unfortunately, there are few grants available to individuals to pay off student loans. However, there are some companies, such as Aetna, Google, SoFi, and PwC, that offer student loan repayment programs as part of their employee benefits. These programs match employee payments up to a certain amount annually, helping to reduce student loan debt.
There are also grants available for graduates working in non-profits. Non-profit organizations can benefit greatly from grants, as they provide funds that do not need to be repaid, allowing them to focus their resources on their programs and initiatives. Grants can also provide essential funding for day-to-day operations, including staffing, rent, and utilities. Additionally, grants can enable non-profits to launch new programs or expand their existing ones, increasing their capacity to serve their communities.
Grants for non-profits can be found through government, state, federal, and foundation funding opportunities. Websites like Grants.gov and GrantWatch can be great resources for finding grants for non-profits. GrantWatch, in particular, offers a wide range of grants for non-profit organizations, municipalities, government agencies, community-based groups, schools, and hospitals. It also provides funding opportunities for individuals, including students and researchers. Grants.gov, on the other hand, offers funding opportunities for organizations with 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, as well as small business grants.
Overall, grants can provide essential financial resources for non-profit organizations, helping them expand their impact and achieve their missions. By taking advantage of grant opportunities, non-profits can enhance their credibility, innovate their programs, and create lasting, positive change in their communities.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find student loan grants via federal and state government-funded programs, as well as nonprofit organizations. Many state-based grants are tied to certain jobs and industries, so it’s worth researching your state and industry.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a federal program that will forgive the remainder of your loan balance after 10 years of qualifying payments. The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is another federal program that provides grants to healthcare professionals in exchange for service in areas with limited access to medical facilities.
Twenty-four states offer loan repayment programs for lawyers working in public interest law. The McCarthy Dressman Education Foundation offers Teacher Development Grants of up to $20,000 to fund classroom development projects.
Yes, some companies offer student loan repayment programs as employee benefits. For example, the bank Ally offered employees an additional $100 per month in 2025. Other examples include Aetna, Google, SoFi, and PwC.
