Student loan forgiveness now extended to public servants in New York: Governor Hochul’s Office

Student loan forgiveness has now been extended to public servants of New York State, according to the latest from the Governor’s Office.

The average New Yorker, who qualifies for the program, can have nearly $61,000 in student debt loans forgiven and this expansion now provides even more of that opportunity.

In order to qualify as a public servant, the expansion requires that you need to be either active or previously employed for at-least 30-hours per-week for any government organization at any level. This also includes not-for-profits that are tax exempt.

With all this being said, Governor Hochul has also issued a warning for residents to beware of scammers coming up with tricks to steal borrowers’ money. "Unfortunately, unscrupulous individuals and scammers are using this as an opportunity to take advantage of others,” she said.

“Today, we're putting scammers on notice: we will not let you take advantage of hard-working New Yorkers. I urge everyone to remain vigilant and stay informed to stop these bad actors in their tracks."

How to Avoid a Student Loan Forgiveness Scams:

• Seek trusted information and sources. Only go to ".gov" websites when seeking assistance. The U.S. Department of Education recently launched a webpage to provide borrowers with a one-stop location for accurate and up to date information about the program. Upon accessing the site, borrowers will find not only general information but also a detailed Frequently Asked Questions section that provides facts about the student debt relief plan.
• Don't trust any person or program who promises you early or special access, or guaranteed eligibility. You might be contacted by a company saying they will help you get loan discharge, forgiveness, cancellation, or debt relief for a fee. They may also offer to help you apply early. The loan forgiveness application will launch in early October and early access is not possible, and you never have to pay for help with your federal student aid. If you receive any of these offers, it's a scam.
• Don't give your personal information, Federal Student Aid ID or social security number to anyone who contacts you. Nobody from the Department of Education will be calling you or texting you about this initiative. Make sure you work only with the U.S. Department of Education, and never reveal your personal information or account password to anyone. Genuine emails to borrowers will only come from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• If you encounter a scam, report it. Contact the official Federal Student Aid website to file a complaint, or contact the Federal Trade Commission. The U.S. Department of Education offers additional tips and resources here.

Image courtesy via the Governor's Office.