MEDICAL SCHOOL LOANS, EXPLAINED.
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PSLF

Will residency count toward PSLF?

Your employer and payment history matter more than your job title.

Source check: September 13, 2026 · Educational overview

Check four pieces together

PSLF generally requires eligible Direct Loans, 120 qualifying monthly payments, a qualifying repayment plan, and qualifying full-time employment. Full-time generally means an average of at least 30 hours per week. Residency is not automatically eligible.

Start with your actual employer

Use the EIN on your W-2 in the federal employer search. A hospital’s nonprofit status alone does not establish your eligibility if another entity employs you. Some legally required contractor arrangements have exceptions; verify the details.

Keep your record current

Submit employment certification annually and when changing employers. Review the loan-level counts on StudentAid.gov and keep copies of forms and payment records. A missing count is a reason to investigate, not proof that a month is lost.

Check your PSLF path

Go to the source

Federal Student Aid · PSLFFederal Student Aid · PSLF questions

Rules and account details can change. Official sources determine eligibility; this page does not.