119th Congress
S. 4567
Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of 2026
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became law
- Sponsor
- Ben Ray Luján(D-NM)
- Introduced
- May 19, 2026
- Policy area
- Education
- Committees
- Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- Official text
- Introduced in Senate · Congress.gov page
Cosponsors (14)
Original cosponsors (13)
- Alex Padilla (D-CA)
- Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
- Cory A. Booker (D-NJ)
- Jack Reed (D-RI)
- Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
- Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
- Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
- Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
- Ron Wyden (D-OR)
- Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)
- Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
- Tim Kaine (D-VA)
- Tina Smith (D-MN)
Added later (1)
- Edward J. Markey (D-MA) · Jun 1, 2026
Summary
Summary by the Congressional Research Service· describes the “Introduced in Senate” version
Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of 2026
This bill expands loan forgiveness for educators by revising the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program. The program provides loan forgiveness (up to $17,500) for teachers who are highly qualified, teach full-time in a low-income elementary or secondary school or educational service agency, and complete five years of consecutive service.
Specifically, the bill renames the program as the Educator Loan Forgiveness Programs.
Additionally, the bill expands the program by making additional loan types eligible for benefits under the program (e.g., Parent PLUS Loans).
Further, the bill expands program eligibility to early childhood educators and program directors serving in early childhood education programs and school leaders serving in public high-need schools.
The bill requires the Department of Education to
• make monthly student loan payments on behalf of the educator during qualifying service (i.e., employment as a full-time qualifying educator in a high-need school or an early childhood education program),
• provide complete loan forgiveness after five years of qualifying service (which does not have to be consecutive), and
• take steps to notify borrowers about changes to the program.
Roll-call votes
No recorded votes on this bill.
Actions
- May 19, 2026 · Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. - May 19, 2026
Introduced in Senate