Education & Student Aid · Surprise rank #105
Licensed Social Worker? New York Can Wipe Out Up to $26,000 of Your Student Loans
Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness — recurring program; current application cycle closed
Who
New York-licensed social workers who worked full-time (at least 35 hours a week) in a qualifying critical human-service area during the calendar year before applying and still owe eligible student loans.
Where: New York State; qualifying employment must be in an eligible critical human-service area.
What to do
Start here: Check the HESC program page for the next application window and confirm that your workplace is in an eligible critical human-service area. The current application cycle is closed.
Eligibility: New York licensure, qualifying employment/service, residency and eligible student-loan debt rules apply.
What you get
New York can forgive up to $26,000 of eligible student-loan debt for qualifying licensed social workers in critical human-service areas.
Benefit: Up to $26,000 total, generally $6,500 for each annual period of qualifying service.
Possible value: Up to $26,000 of eligible student-loan debt.
Good to know
Important: You cannot apply during the current closed cycle. Parent PLUS loans do not qualify, and awards are paid annually for qualifying service rather than as an automatic $26,000 lump sum. Loan-forgiveness payments may also have tax implications.
Availability: Recurring program; current application cycle closed.
Status: Recurring program; current application cycle may be closed.
Why people miss it: Social workers may know about federal forgiveness programs but not this separate New York award tied to specific human-service work areas.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026