The following article is not to be considered tax advice or medical advice. Consult a trained tax professional. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travel nurses work similarly to registered nurses but have unique tax policies since they travel between locations for work. How does financing work for travel nurses? One commonly discussed area is public service loan forgiveness (PSLF). Are travel nurses eligible for the same?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travel nurses work for commercial organizations that don\u2019t qualify for PSLF. However, there\u2019s a chance to become eligible if over 120 consecutive loan payments are made by the nurse. In any case, the terms and conditions for travel nurses on PSLF aren\u2019t flexible.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, let\u2019s look at the background of PSLF, the eligibility criteria for PSLF, and other tips to maximize the chances of becoming eligible as a travel nurse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public service loan forgiveness (PSLF) <\/strong>is a program enabled by the US Department of Education meant to issue student loan forgiveness to eligible individuals operating in public domains.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re operating as a nurse in an organization, you automatically become eligible for PSLF and request forgiveness of the pending loan amount to be repaid. The primary reason behind offering this forgiveness is to encourage more people to participate in public service careers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As such careers stabilize your financial conditions, your student loan repayments are automatically adjusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s it like to be a travel nurse? The disadvantage is that you aren\u2019t qualified because you work for a profitable organization and are well-paid.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The primary eligibility requirement for PSLF is a job at a public service organization that engages you in an income-driven repayment plan. When you work as a travel nurse, you aren\u2019t eligible for loan forgiveness because the role is well-paid and you\u2019re associated temporarily with the organization.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are the general eligibility requirements for PSLF:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a travel nurse, you can be qualified for a PSLF if you work on a special arrangement with a nonprofit or a government entity. This association also provides you with several other financial incentives to cope with the repayment schedule.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since most travel nurses work for for-profit organizations, not nonprofit or government agencies, they do not qualify.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mission of PSLF is to enhance the number of individuals enrolling in public service domains. In most cases, travel nurses are denied PSLF due to these reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having cited these reasons, there are other ways to request student loan forgiveness as a travel nurse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qualifying for PSLF as a travel nurse is cumbersome owing to the nature of the job. However, other options include the nurse corps loan repayment program, the<\/strong> state nursing loan forgiveness program, employer-based nursing loan forgiveness, and the national health service corps loan repayment program.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not uncommon for travel nurses to choose this job because of its attractive compensation and feel hopeless about their ineligibility for various loan forgiveness options.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If that sounds like your story, here are a few options to try and succeed in student loan forgiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve been working for a nurse staffing company for a long time, you may have to talk with the firm to understand the availability of a loan forgiveness option. As you discover the eligibility criteria for the same, it\u2019s feasible to sit with your employer and identify ways for tuition reimbursement or forgiveness.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps most employers are aware of such options and can simplify the process for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a travel nurse working at a critical shortage facility, this loan repayment program covers a portion of the loan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a federal program, it encourages travel nurses enrolled in critical shortage facilities to avail maximum benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve been working as a travel nurse in the same state for long, it\u2019s appropriate to look for state nursing loan forgiveness programs as offered by your state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The attractive aspect of this arrangement is that loan forgiveness is prioritized for those functioning in a health professional shortage area. This is quite similar to the NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note: <\/strong>You should review your state\u2019s guidelines to assess eligibility and apply further. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the National Health Service Corps, belonging to the Health Resources and Services Administration of the government, travel nurses can still request loan forgiveness up to $100,000 if they\u2019ve been designated a role in a rural setting.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The loan repayment guideline can be checked here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being a travel nurse has its own set of pros and cons. While you\u2019re naturally ineligible for PSLF, you can still look out for other loan repayment options from the state and federal governments. Alternatively, look for refinancing and debt repayment options when none of the programs work. These can relieve you from heavy loans even when you\u2019re operating as a travel nurse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.travelnursing.com\/news\/nurse-news\/how-to-choose-the-right-nurse-loan-forgiveness-program\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/nhsc.hrsa.gov\/loan-repayment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/allnurses.com\/traveling-pslf-t621638<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
