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With mass student loan forgiveness blocked by the Supreme Court, you may be curious about what other relief options are available, especially if you work (or plan to work) in a field that requires graduate school — and significant student debt — but may not pay a high salary.

The good news is that there are multiple programs that offer student loan forgiveness or relief for mental health professionals, including counselors and therapists. Forgiveness programs for mental health professionals are designed to encourage individuals to enter and stay in the profession.

Read on to learn about programs and strategies that can help you repay any student loans you have taken out (or plan to take out) to become a mental health professional.

How to Plan for the Future With Student Loan Debt as a Mental Health Professional

Whether you take out private student loans or federal student loans to pay for your education in the mental health field, you’ll need to consider how you will eventually repay those loans. It can also be challenging to navigate career opportunities when you know that you have student loans to repay. The good news: You’re not alone. And there is no one right path to pay back student loan debt.

It can be helpful to talk to graduates and see how they paid off student loans. One big crossroads can be whether to take a higher paying job in the private sector or work in a nonprofit role that could give you an avenue toward loan forgiveness through a program like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Another option to manage repayment is to use an income-driven repayment plan, like the new Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, Plan (which will replace the existing Revised Pay As You Earn, or REPAYE, Plan).

There may also be programs unique to your career. For example, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a government branch, offers loan repayment programs for mental health professionals who meet certain criteria, such as serving in a health professional shortage area. Speaking with your supervisor, your colleagues, and keeping abreast of news within professional organizations can help alert you to unique repayment opportunities.

Recommended: REPAYE vs PAYE: What’s the Difference?

What is a Student Loan Forgiveness Program?

A student loan forgiveness program operates the way it sounds: Student loans can be forgiven if certain criteria within the program are met. But each student loan forgiveness program has different criteria. It’s important to completely understand the scope of the forgiveness program. Reading this student loan forgiveness guide can help you understand where the national conversation is regarding loan forgiveness in the future as well as options available for forgiveness now.

When student loans are forgiven, usually after a set amount of payments, the balance is forgiven. But that balance may be taxed, depending on the program. For example, forgiveness received under PSLF is not considered taxable, according to the IRS. But under PAYE and REPAYE programs, any canceled student loan debt is considered taxable.

There may also be loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) for your profession or field, as well as state-sponsored loan forgiveness programs.

Recommended: Supreme Court Blocks Student Loan Forgiveness

Will Student Loans be Forgiven After Ten Years?

Loans are not automatically forgiven after ten years. But one potential avenue for mental health student loan forgiveness is the federal Public Service and Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This program requires eligible candidates to work with a qualifying organization and make 120 qualifying monthly payments. It also requires that the loans you hold be federal Direct Loans (or that the federal loans you currently have are consolidated into a Direct Loan).

Qualifying for PSLF can be challenging and requires borrowers to certify their employment to be sure their payments count toward the program. In addition to making 120 payments while working at a qualifying employer, you have to be working for a qualifying employer when you submit the forgiveness application and when the loan is forgiven.

Consult with your loan servicer if you have any questions and be sure to read all of the details about the program.

Typical Requirements for Student Loan Forgiveness

In general, forgiveness programs have criteria. These may include:

•  A history of payments, with no payments skipped

•  Working at a qualifying organization, in a qualifying capacity (ie, full-time instead of part-time)

•  Correctly filling out paperwork for forgiveness

•  Potentially paying taxes on the amount forgiven

Understanding the criteria, reading the fine print, and researching any points of confusion can be helpful in ensuring that your application is processed successfully. The eligibility and forgiveness requirements may vary depending on the forgiveness program, so be sure to fully understand the criteria for the loan forgiveness option you are pursuing.

Difference Between Loan Forgiveness, Loan Cancellation, and Loan Discharge

These three terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Quite simply, all three terms mean you’re no longer required to pay some or all of your loan. But there are no “easy” ways to get out of paying student loans.

Usually, forgiveness and cancellation mean that, due to either a forgiveness application or your current job, you no longer have to pay loans. Discharge refers to a situation beyond your control, such as total and permanent disability or the closure of your school. In very rare cases, student loans are discharged due to bankruptcy. You will likely have to apply for cancellation, forgiveness, or discharge and will likely need to continue making payments while the application is processed.

Recommended: Bankruptcy and Student Loans, Explained

Student Loan Forgiveness Options For Mental Health Workers

Depending on your place of employment, you may have other options for forgiveness through specific mental health worker programs. There also may be scholarships and grants available in your field of study. Also something to consider: Some private employers offer student loan repayment as part of their packages. This can be worth asking potential employers as you look for jobs. There are also other federal programs to know about:

PPACA and HERA Student Loan Programs for Counselors

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, legislation expanded opportunities for student loan forgiveness for healthcare professionals, including mental health counselors. While many of these forgiveness programs are state-run, this act did ensure that any forgiven funds would not be considered taxable income for people seeking forgiveness through programs supporting health care professionals working in underserved areas.

Under the Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) certain federal loans, including Stafford Loans, and Direct Loans (both Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans) are eligible for a graduated repayment plan. Under this plan, your federal loan repayments start low and gradually increase every two years. This can be an option if you expect your income to increase over the years.

National Health Services Corps Loan Repayment Program

The National Health Services Corps offers loan repayment programs through your state. Each state has different eligibility requirements, including eligible disciplines. These state-run programs also may differ in terms of service commitments but usually, the commitments start at two years for an eligible position. These will generally be at centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Mental Health Loan Forgiveness Alternatives

The criteria and requirements for some forgiveness programs can be challenging to fit. But that doesn’t mean there’s no way to pay down loans. Understanding all your options can help you navigate the best potential avenue for you.

Refinance Your Mental Health Student Loan

Refinancing your student loans could potentially help save you money in the long term, and might give you more flexibility in your budget.

When you refinance, you take all your loans and consolidate them into one loan. For qualifying borrowers, this loan may have a lower interest rate, which could reduce the amount of money you owe in interest over the life of the loan. It also may have a different payment term, so that you are paying the loan off over a longer (or shorter) period of time. Keep in mind that, while a longer loan term may result in lower monthly payments, it might also mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.

You can often check your loan refinance rate without affecting your credit score and choose terms that work for you.

Scholarships and Grants

There may be scholarships and grants, either from your institution or your place of work. This can help pay down student loan debt. It’s also worth remembering that some private-sector employers may offer student loan repayment as a perk. Talking with colleagues, supervisors, and the financial aid office at your school may help you find programs that may be specific to your field or your school.

Pay Off Student loan Debt

In some cases, it may make sense to prioritize paying down student loan debt. This may include taking on part-time work, decreasing living expenses, and trying to carve out opportunities to pay more than the monthly student loan payment. These strategies can help you pay off your student loans faster and, in turn, could lower the total cost of the loans.

The Takeaway

Working as a mental health professional can be rewarding, but might require you to borrow money to pay for your education. There are numerous options both for taking out and paying back student loans for mental health counselors and therapists. Depending on your profession and employer, you might qualify for certain types of loan forgiveness, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF), if you have federal student loans.

It can be helpful to talk to colleagues about their student loan pathway, join professional organizations, and keep an ear to the ground regarding grants, scholarships, and employer-sponsored loan repayment programs.

Also keep in mind that you can use a private student loan to help pay for your undergraduate or graduate education in the mental health field (or to refinance loans you already have). While private loans don’t come with government-sponsored protections like PSLF, some private lenders offer hardship and deferment programs of their own.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

FAQ on Mental Health Forgiveness

How do counselors and mental health professionals plan for the future with student loan debt?

Understanding options for paying back loans can be helpful for mental health professionals. Depending on what type of loan you have and what type of mental health work you do, your loan repayment options might include Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), income-based repayment plans, and refinancing your student loans. You might also consider taking a job in the private sector, which may pay more and allow you to comfortably cover loan payments.

Do healthcare workers qualify for loan forgiveness?

In some cases, healthcare workers qualify for eligible forgiveness programs. This depends on the state the healthcare worker resides, as well as their place of employment.

What are some student loan forgiveness options for mental health workers?

Mental health workers who work in underserved areas may be able to apply for forgiveness programs run at their state level for healthcare professionals. Eligibility depends on criteria including place of employment. Student loan forgiveness options may also include the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF), as well as some income-based repayment options.

Photo credit: iStock/Vertigo3d

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

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College application deadlines have a tendency to come up fast. But the process of preparing for college typically begins much earlier than senior year.

Plenty of students prefer to get ready as early as their junior year of high school—in an effort to strengthen their eventual college applications (and make the process more manageable).

For those interested in college, some years of high school carry more weight — especially, the junior year. Colleges often look more closely at grades and achievements from students’ junior years when evaluating who to accept.

After all, that third year in high school is the last full academic calendar a college can view before students apply.

So, approaching junior year with a clear action plan may even give applicants a leg up on admission into their dream college. Compiling a junior year of high school checklist could help students to tackle this vital year with more drive, confidence, and focus.

Here’s an overview of why junior year of high school is so key and some strategies for staying focused while preparing to apply for college.

Why Junior Year Is Important

Junior year of high school can be especially impactful for strengthening a student’s college application. It’s the last school year that universities can look at in full before applications are due during senior year.

As a result, many admissions committees pay particularly close attention to grades and extracurricular activities from the junior year of high school.

The third year of high school can feel overwhelmingly for a few reasons:

•   Class difficulty levels are often higher than earlier years.
•   Students can begin studying now for the SAT and ACT. (It’s possible to take these exams in the spring of junior year, affording juniors a chance to retake them during the fall of senior year.)
•   Upper-class students can take on numerous extracurriculars and a part-time job.

To help make junior year a lighter lift, it can be a good idea to enter into it with a checklist in hand. This can help students see more success when college acceptance letters are sent out the next year. What follows are some helpful things students may want to keep in mind to make more out of this critical year.


💡 Quick Tip: You’ll make no payments on some private student loans for six months after graduation.

Getting Involved in Extracurriculars

To strengthen their college applications, many juniors opt to get more involved with organizations or activities they care deeply about. Being involved in extracurriculars doesn’t have to feel like a chore.

Extracurriculars that might stand out on a college application range from clubs to student council, from athletic endeavors to volunteering. There’s no one-size-fits-all way for students to be engaged in school or in their communities.

Many high schools host a variety of clubs that students can join. Juniors could choose one or two they’re really passionate about, allowing these extracurricular activities to serve as a break from hitting the books (all while still fleshing out their college application profile).

Staying Focused

Another potential way to increase focus is to keep a planner. It seems simple, but in today’s technology-driven age, it’s easy to forget how valuable writing big dates or goals down can be.

With seven dates available to take the SAT, and seven or more different dates available to take the ACT, it’s not hard for busy students to lose track of when to study for and schedule their college admission tests.

Once a test date has been chosen, students can mark it down in their printed planner. It’s then possible for a high school junior to work backwards, planning out practice tests and pencilling in study sessions during the build-up to the testing date.

The simple act of writing things down can make them easier to remember, so some researchers suggest jotting down key dates first in a physical planner before then adding them to a digital device or calendar.

Recommended: ACT vs. SAT: Which Do Colleges Prefer?

Making a Junior Year Checklist

In addition to writing down important dates, some students may benefit from making a personalized junior year checklist. Some tasks that could be included on such a list are:

•   Studying for major tests, like the SAT or ACT
•   Joining extracurricular clubs or organizations
•   Researching different colleges and universities
•   Getting familiar with the format of college applications

Once a checklist is drafted, students might then make to-do lists under each sub-category. The planner could be used in tandem to help students stay on top of these goals and deadlines.

Designating a Study Space

Creating a dedicated space for studying can also improve a student’s focus during a jam-packed school year. Many high schoolers opt to designate a comfy space at home, where they may then concentrate on their studies. It’s even possible to give this study space a personal touch — decking it out with school supplies, keeping it clutter-free, and decorating it with inspirational photos or personal items (like a magnet from one’s dream college).

Creating a dedicated study space, some claim, could both make recalling information easier and studying more effective.

Remembering to Reward Accomplishments

Busy high school juniors might want to remember to reward major accomplishments during this high-stakes year. Once important dates and tasks are mapped out (and scheduled), students could make another list of potential fun rewards to enjoy, once an outlined goal is met. Aced those finals? Binge on some light TV. Finished the SAT practice exam? Download that new game everyone’s been playing.

It may also be helpful to recall that an overly hectic junior year can increase students’ feelings of stress, possibly making it harder to accomplish big goals. Burnout is likely easier to avoid when students carve time out for regular breaks.

Strengthening that College Application

There’s a multitude of ways for juniors to strengthen their eventual college applications. Choosing which tasks to focus on can be the hard part.

Some juniors add volunteering to their schedules this year. Certain volunteer opportunities have age restrictions, which can make them easier for upperclass students to apply for. Similar to the earlier at-school clubs, many juniors opt to volunteer with non-profit organizations or institutions they’re passionate about.

To possibly stand out more on the college application, it may also be helpful for juniors to find a volunteer opportunity in the field they’re hoping to pursue as a career some day.

For instance, a student interested in medicine might seek out opportunities in a local hospital (so they could learn firsthand about what working in that environment and evidence their commitment to a given field of study.)

Recommended: College Planning Guide for Parents

Getting a First Job

Junior year could also be a good time for students to get their first part-time job. Many states allow young people to begin working once they’re 16 years old. If a student can find a job that’s easy to get (and doesn’t distract from academics), work experience can be one more experience to highlight on a college application down the road. Holding a part-time job at a young age might demonstrate skills, such as time-management and personal responsibility.

Moreover, there may also be unique opportunities available to upperclass students at their individual schools. It’s common for special electives or programs to open up to older students — things like, working on the school yearbook, interning for credit, or volunteering on or off site.

Recommended: Am I Eligible for Work-Study?

Financing College

Earning admission is just one piece of the going-to-college puzzle. Once accepted, many high schoolers have to wrestle with how to pay for college. For parents, saving up for a child’s college years is something they may want to start while their student is much younger.

What are some options for financing college? Some ways to pay for college include need-based grants, merit or affinity scholarships, federal student loans, and private student loans.

Some grants, such as Federal Pell Grants, are disbursed by the U.S. government to those who qualify. Grants, unlike loans, do not typically have to be repaid by the student. Scholarships are frequently merit-based, meaning they’re often awarded based on a student’s academic, athletic, or community-based accomplishments.

Many high schools and colleges publish lists of financial aid resources available to eligible undergraduates. These lists are one starting place to begin searching for potential scholarships or grants.

So, it may be worthwhile to check with a guidance counselor or on a college’s official financial aid web page (to see what resources have already been compiled).


💡 Quick Tip: Parents and sponsors with strong credit and income may find much lower rates on no-fee private parent student loans than federal parent PLUS loans. Federal PLUS loans also come with an origination fee.

The Takeaway

Junior year can play a vital role in preparing students to vie for college admission. There’s a lot to keep track of this year — from juggling academics alongside extracurriculars to figuring out how, eventually, to pay for college (once accepted).

Loans are another common way to help pay for college. There are both federal and private student loans. Federal loans are offered by the U.S. government to those who qualify. It’s important to note that federal loans can come with certain baked-in benefits (such as forbearance or income-driven repayment options) not always guaranteed by private lenders.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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