1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support H.R. 8815, the Teacher Debt Relief Act, introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jahana Hayes to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 and remove the statutory prohibition that prevents borrowers from receiving both Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) credit simultaneously. Under current law, teachers cannot count the same 5 years of teaching service toward both programs. This forces educators to work for an additional 10 to 15 years to qualify for full relief under PSLF after claiming TLF. H.R. 8815 allows teachers to work toward both forgiveness programs at the same time. Federal data and education advocacy groups consistently note that stagnant educator salaries combined with undergraduate student debt exacerbate the teacher shortage. By allowing educators to combine the benefits of TLF and PSLF, this technical correction significantly shortens the timeline for full federal student loan forgiveness. For new educators entering the field, student debt is a massive barrier. The promise of TLF helps attract new graduates by offering up to $17,500 in loan cancellation after just five consecutive years of service in a low-income school or qualifying Title I district. This creates a highly attainable, near-term milestone through which new teachers see a tangible way to wipe out a significant portion of their undergraduate debt within half a decade, making the profession a more viable financial choice. At the same time, mid-career educators with very high debt loads will have the opportunity to maximize PSLF, which forgives the entire remaining loan balance after 120 qualifying monthly payments, making it a powerful retention tool. Historically, a teacher who completes their first five years through TLF has already dedicated nearly half the time required for PSLF. By making both simultaneously available, the financial incentive of having the entirety of remaining graduate or undergraduate debt wiped clean pushes educators to stay in the profession. In an era where we are losing teachers through early retirement and by attrition as they leave for other professions, I ask you to support the Teacher Debt Relief Act, currently in the House, and eventually when it makes its way to the Senate. Thank you.