Submitted by Cheryl Dowd on
Executive Order

EO 14235 Restoring Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Description

Executive Order 14235 directs the U.S. Department of Education to revise regulations governing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to ensure that “public service” does not include employment with organizations engaged in activities that have a substantially illegal purpose.  

A substantially illegal purpose was described as the following: activities such as aiding immigration law violations, supporting terrorism or violent acts against the government, committing or facilitating child abuse or trafficking, engaging in repeated illegal discrimination, or routinely violating state laws such as those against trespassing, vandalism, or public disorder.

Action to take

  • Review employment partnerships to ensure none involve organizations that could be deemed to have a substantially illegal purpose.
  • Update PSLF guidance for employees to reflect potential changes in qualifying employer criteria.
  • Review final regulations released by the U.S. Department of Education to track how “substantially illegal purpose” will be defined and applied as of the July 1, 2026, effective date of the new amended regulation.
  • Communicate proactively with affected staff about any updates to PSLF eligibility once regulations are proposed or finalized.

Issue Date

March 12, 2025

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