> people would purposefully avoid paying off what they could, pay only the interest (or the minimum amount acceptable to the loan company) and then stick the go

> people would purposefully avoid paying off what they could, pay only the interest (or the minimum amount acceptable to the loan company) and then stick the government with the remainder Bear in mind that the standard repayment plan is 10 years, and PSLF forgives debt remaining after 10 years. Without a change in repayment plan, there is no benefit to PSLF. Where the law protects the common good is disallowing graduated payment plans access to PSLF, as it's the only non-standard plan that doesn't factor in income. I donno what Shafer's income is, but his district currently starts licensed teachers with a master's off at 40k[1]. If we assume he accrued 4 years exp while pursuing his Master's, then he's at 45k. But running the numbers, paying back 70k at 8.25 percent interest means a monthly payment of $850, so unless his wife is a doctor, it seems like he'd qualify for some sort of income plan. Personally, given my modest loan amounts, favorable interest rates, and decent wage I found it difficult to qualify for PSLF without some extreme retirement savings planning -- maxing out both a 403b and a 457b is allowed, but it's rare for folks to have access to both. Deferred income plans like those reduce your AGI, which is what repayment plans are keyed in on. Things that don't reduce AGI include: union dues, mortgage payments, rent, car payments, medical expenses, or dependents. [1]: http://www.4j.lane.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2016-17-Licensed-Salary-Schedule.pdf http://www.4j.lane.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2016-17-Li...