Law Enforcement or Corrections Officer

Applies only to Federal Perkins Loans or National Direct Student Loans made on or after November 29, 1990.

To be eligible for this type of partial cancellation, it must be determined that the borrower's employing agency is eligible and that the borrower's position is essential to the agency's primary mission.

Eligible employing agency: A local, state, or federal agency is an eligible employing agency if it is public-funded and its activities pertain to crime prevention, control, or reduction or to the enforcement of the criminal law. Such activities include, but are not limited to, police efforts to prevent, control, or reduce crime or to apprehend criminals; activities of courts having criminal jurisdiction and related agencies; activities of corrections, probation, or parole authorities; and problems relating to the prevention, control, or reduction of juvenile delinquency or narcotic addition. Agencies that are primarily responsible for enforcement of civil, regulatory, or administrative laws are ineligible.

Eligible positions: In order for the borrower's position to be considered essential to the agency's primary mission, he/she must be a full-time employee of an eligible agency and a sworn officer or person whose principal responsibilities are unique to the criminal justice system and are essential in the performance of the agency's primary mission. The agency must be able to document the employee's functions. NOTE: Persons whose official responsibilities are supportive, such as those that involve typing, filing, accounting, office procedures, purchasing, stock control, food service, or building, equipment or grounds maintenance are not eligible for the law enforcement or corrections officer loan cancellation regardless of where these functions are performed. Also, a borrower employed as a public defender does not qualify for cancellation benefits under this provision.