Defending Public Service Loan Forgiveness

On September 16, 2025, the Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center submitted formal comments to the United States Department of Education opposing proposed changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Our advocacy makes clear that the Department’s proposal would unlawfully restrict PSLF eligibility, politicize what has always been a bipartisan program, and weaken the nonprofit sector’s ability to serve vulnerable communities. In our comments, we stressed that:

· PSLF was created by Congress to support all 501(c)(3) nonprofits, regardless of ideology.

· The proposed changes exceed the Department’s statutory authority and violate First Amendment rights.

· Undermining PSLF would destabilize nonprofit workforces and reduce essential services for children, refugees, veterans, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.

We urged the Department to withdraw the proposed rule and instead uphold PSLF’s original bipartisan purpose: to support those who dedicate their careers to public service.

This action continues BMSJC’s mission of fighting injustices, catalyzing change—not only through litigation and grantmaking, but also through direct advocacy with respect to policies that impact the communities we serve.