PHEAA Loan Forgiveness

Last year the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Administration (PHEAA) Foundation allocated $5 million to its Early Childhood Education Loan Forgiveness program.  This was a great victory for QUEST advocates who worked to expand this program which will help to retain B. A. degreed teachers in early childhood programs. 

Unfortunately, the word is getting out very slowly. As of October, PHEAA had received only 29 applications. Twelve were approved and eight were still pending. QUEST needs to get the word out!  

The program will forgive up to one-sixth of qualifying loan debt annually, not to exceed the maximum of $3,300 per year for three years or the program’s $9,900 maximum benefit.  To be eligible an applicant must be employed in a child care center and have a B.A. degree and early childhood certification, or an Associates degree in early childhood education.

Applications for the Quality Early Education Loan Forgiveness program can be obtained by visiting www.pheaa.org or by calling PHEAA at 800-233-0557.

PHEAA Letter of Introduction (word)

PHEAA Quality Early Childhood Education Loan Forgiveness Flyer (pdf)

PHEAA Quality Early Childhood Education Loan Forgiveness Application (pdf)