Application Period/Due Date: February 2025

Criteria:

Awarded to individuals who provide direct care services at a New York State-licensed child welfare agency. Recipients can receive up to $10,000 per year for up to 5 years, or the actual amount of the recipient’s student loan debt, whichever is less.

Eligibility:

1. Be a NYS resident and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to applying for this Program 

2. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen 

3. Have obtained his/her undergraduate or graduate degree from a NYS college or university 

4. Have an outstanding balance on eligible student loan debt from obtaining such degree 

5. Apply within two years after college graduation 

6. Execute a Service Contract agreeing to work full-time as a child welfare worker providing direct care services in an OCFS-licensed voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agency in NYS for five years 

7. Be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or repayment of any NYS award 

8. 8. Be in compliance with the terms of any service condition imposed by a NYS award.

9. A successful applicant must have an outstanding balance on eligible student loan debt used to fund an undergraduate or graduate degree from an approved NYS college or university.

10. Eligible student loans include NYS or federal government loans, or private student loans made by commercial entities subject to governmental examination. This does not include Parent PLUS loans.

Link:

https://www.hesc.ny.gov/repay-your-loans/repayment-options-assistance/loan-forgiveness-cancellation-and-discharge/nys-child-welfare-worker-loan-forgiveness-program.html

Contact scholarships@hesc.ny.gov or 1-888-697-4372 with any questions regarding this program.