Recruitment & Special Programs > Jose P. Loan Forgiveness Program

Jose P. Loan Forgiveness Program For New Teachers and Clinicians

 

Application opens: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Application deadline: Monday, November 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Applications and all required documents must be submitted online by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Jose P. Loan Forgiveness Program application is currently OPEN.

APPLY ON THE TSN PORTAL

 nyc.teacherssupportnetwork.com

ELIGIBILITY:

Eligible applicants must:

• Be employed full-time by NYCPS in an eligible title;
  
• Hold a valid New York State certificate for the applicable title and shortage area;
  
• Hold the required bilingual extension and be appointed under the bilingual credential when applying in a bilingual shortage area;
  
• Be assigned to an eligible NYCPS district or location;
  
• Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident;
  
• Have an outstanding balance on an eligible student loan;
  
• Have been placed on an active NYCPS payroll line in the eligible title after November 15, 2025, and no later than November 16, 2026; and
  
• Have the 2026–2027 school year as their first full school year of NYCPS service in the eligible title.
  

An offer, nomination, or anticipated start date does not establish eligibility. The applicant must be on an active NYCPS payroll line by November 16, 2026.

Prior NYCPS service in an unrelated position, such as paraprofessional or substitute teacher, does not automatically affect eligibility. However, individuals who previously worked for NYCPS in an eligible title are not considered new hires in that title.

NYCPS will verify applicants’ titles, payroll status, appointment dates, work locations, certificates, prior service, student loans, and other eligibility information. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance or payment.

A preliminary determination may be made after the application and required documents are reviewed. Final eligibility for each annual grant is determined after NYCPS verifies satisfactory completion of the applicable school year and continued compliance with all program requirements.

DISTRICT RESTRICTIONS:

Speech-Language Pathologists, monolingual and bilingual: Manhattan: Districts 5 and 6; Bronx: Districts 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12; Brooklyn: Districts 13, 16, 17, 19, 23, and 32; Queens: Districts 27, 28, and 29; District 75: Locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the eligible Queens districts listed above.

Bilingual Special Education Teachers: Bronx: Districts 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Teachers of the Blind and Visually Impaired: Citywide District 75 locations only.

Bilingual School Psychologists: No district restrictions.

Pre-K Centers: Eligible titles may work in Pre-K Centers within the approved districts and boroughs applicable to their titles.

Eligibility is based on the employee’s official NYCPS assignment and work location.

Eligible districts and locations are reviewed annually and may change for future applicants based on NYCPS staffing needs and available funding. Changes generally do not apply retroactively to current participants or create retroactive eligibility for prior applicants.

Participants should contact the program before accepting a transfer or reassignment that could affect eligibility.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION RESTRICTIONS:

Applicants may not have previously participated in or received benefits from an incompatible NYCPS-administered scholarship, incentive, tuition-support, or loan-forgiveness program.

Programs include, but are not limited to:

• Psychology in Training Program;
  
• Teachers of Tomorrow;
  
• Intensive Teacher Institute in Bilingual Special Education;
  
• New York City Teaching Fellows;
  
• Teach For America;
  
• I-START;
  
• New Visions Urban Teacher Residency Program;
  
• Success Via Apprenticeship;
  
• Math for America; and
  
• Jose P. Graduate Scholarship Program.
  

Applicants must disclose prior or current participation in any NYCPS scholarship, incentive, residency, tuition-support, or loan-forgiveness program. NYCPS will determine whether prior participation affects eligibility.

Failure to disclose relevant information may result in denial, removal from the program, cancellation of an award, or recovery of funds.

SERVICE AGREEMENT and COMMITMENT:

To remain eligible for an annual grant, participants must:

• Remain employed full-time by NYCPS in the eligible title;
• Remain assigned to an eligible district or location;
• Complete the applicable school year;
• Receive a satisfactory annual performance rating;
• Provide any required annual documentation; and
• Continue to meet all program requirements.

Participants may receive grants for up to six consecutive school years.

A participant may have up to six weeks of qualifying break in service during a school year without automatically forfeiting that year’s grant. Approved sick leave and vacation are evaluated under applicable NYCPS requirements and are not automatically treated as breaks in service.

A break in service exceeding six weeks may result in forfeiture of the grant for that school year. The year will still count toward the six-year program period unless NYCPS determines otherwise under applicable requirements.

A participant who leaves NYCPS before completing the school year will not receive a grant for that year and will be removed from the program. A participant who separates after completing the school year may remain eligible for that completed year, subject to verification of satisfactory service and all other requirements.

Participants must promptly report any change in title, assignment, work location, certification, payroll status, leave status, employment status, contact information, or student-loan status that may affect eligibility.

The total potential grant is based on the eligible student loan balance verified at acceptance. The verified balance is divided across a maximum of six years, with a maximum annual grant of $4,000 and a maximum total grant of $24,000.

Acceptance does not guarantee the maximum award or payment in every year. Additional borrowing, interest, fees, refinancing, consolidation, or changes to a loan balance after acceptance will not automatically increase the award.

Annual grants are issued after NYCPS completes its end-of-year eligibility and satisfactory-service review. Payments are currently issued by physical check. Participants are responsible for applying grant funds toward eligible student-loan obligations and maintaining related records.

The grants are intended to provide tax-free student loan repayment assistance. NYCPS does not provide individual legal, financial, or tax advice. Participants should consult a qualified professional regarding their circumstances.

APPLICATIONS:

 

Applicants must complete the online Teachers Support Network application and upload the following by Monday, November 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time:

• Proof of the applicable New York State certificate and, if required, bilingual extension;
• Academic transcript or transcripts, with unofficial copies accepted;
• Proof of United States citizenship or lawful permanent residency; and
• Documentation of outstanding eligible student loan balances.

Acceptable proof of citizenship or permanent residency includes a passport, birth certificate, naturalization or citizenship document, or Permanent Resident Card. A driver’s license or Social Security card is not accepted as proof.

Student loan documentation must clearly show the applicant’s name, loan provider or servicer, and current outstanding balance.

Applicants should redact full Social Security numbers and complete financial account numbers unless specifically instructed otherwise. Documents must remain sufficiently clear and complete to verify eligibility.

Applications must be submitted online. Applications or documents sent by email, mail, fax, or personal delivery will not be accepted unless NYCPS expressly authorizes an alternative submission method.

Applicants are responsible for confirming successful submission and ensuring all uploaded documents are complete, legible, and accessible. Starting an application does not constitute submission.

NYCPS may request additional documentation or clarification. Failure to respond by the stated deadline may result in an incomplete application determination.

Applicants and participants must provide complete, accurate, and truthful information. NYCPS may deny an application, withdraw an eligibility determination, remove a participant, cancel an unpaid award, or seek recovery of funds if information is false, misleading, incomplete, unverifiable, or omitted, or if program requirements are not met.

Program implementation is subject to annual funding availability, continued program authorization, and NYCPS staffing needs. NYCPS may revise application dates, eligible titles and locations, documentation requirements, award procedures, or other terms for future application cycles.

This webpage provides a general program summary. If it conflicts with applicable law, funding requirements, a collective bargaining agreement, a formal program agreement, or an official written NYCPS determination, the applicable authoritative requirement will control.

For questions about eligibility, required documents, or the application process, contact:

Email: loanforgiveness@schools.nyc.gov
Telephone: (718) 935-2449 during regular business hours

Reporting a technical issue does not guarantee an extension. Applicants should allow sufficient time to complete and submit the application.

INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.