Who We Are
[The PSLF.us and PSLF.nyc Campaigns ended October 31, 2022. But our impact is just now being effectively measured. Read here for our early 2023 summary of accomplishments.]
The PSLF.us Campaign is a sister effort to PSLF.nyc, an effort that has already had significant success raising awareness in New York. We are now in partnership with Robin Hood, SSEU Local 37, National Council on Nonprofits, Inclusive America, Muslim Americans in Public Service, AAPI Victory Alliance, Hispanic Federation, and others. Our mission is to help public service workers access the $10 billion in loan forgiveness available to them via the federal "PSLF Waiver" that expires on October 31, 2022.
We are inspired by the chance to bring $10 billion in economic stimulus to our communities, to support the retention of public sector staff at a time of high attrition, and especially to fight poverty and drive racial equity by delivering money to our friends, neighbors and colleagues struggling with high student debt and low income.
The good news is that our campaign message is very simple:
All federal student loan borrowers who work in public service should immediately determine their eligibility for loan forgiveness by using the 20 minute Help Tool at the US Department of Education's website: StudentAid.gov/PSLF.
We are committed to sharing this message with everyone, working through a racial equity lens, grounded in 3 core principles:
100% Awareness
Every single person employed in public service and carrying federal student loan debt must become aware of this opportunity in time to meet the October deadline.
100% Access
All eligible employers, government and nonprofit alike, must make it simple for employees to have the required employer verification paperwork signed.
100% Support
Any borrower who feels stuck or confused during the process must be directed to clear guidance - via online resources, live programming, or 1:1 counseling.
Campaign Director
Rich Leimsider
Founder and Director PSLF.nyc and PSLF.us
Rich Leimsider is a lifelong public sector worker who carried a lot of student loan debt. He started his career working for the New York City Department of Homeless Services. Most recently he was the executive director at Safe Passage Project, a nonprofit that provides free lawyers to child refugees who are being deported.
After having his loans forgiven due to the PSLF Waiver, Rich launched the PSLF.nyc Campaign, a nonprofit effort to help 250,000 other New Yorkers achieve the same outcome. Given early successes, the campaign is going nationwide via the PSLF.us Campaign.
Learn more about Rich on LinkedIn, or through his Op-Ed describing his own loan forgiveness experience.
“On May 11, 2022 I had a life-changing experience. The federal government forgave all of my remaining student debt. I have worked in public service all of my career and I still had nearly a decade of monthly student loan payments remaining. In an instant, that burden was gone. Our PSLF Campaign aims to bring that life-changing moment to countless others.”
— Rich Leimsider
Staff and Partners
Steve Choi, Senior Advisor
Mark Hanis, Director PSLF.us
Hana Sun, Director PSLF.nyc
Nadya Agrawal, Social Media PSLF.nyc
France Ferreira, Social Media PSLF.us
Justine Gonzalez, Coordinator PSLF.nyc
Kristina Grosspietsch, Digital Brand and Content Strategy
Pythia Public, Public Affairs and Media
F.Y. Eye, Creative Design and Media Placement
Network Partners
The PSLF.us Campaign has received start-up funding from private donors and proud to have the following Founding Partners:
Steering Committee
Time left to apply for the PSLF Waiver:
Visit StudentAid.gov/PSLF today!
The window to apply closes October 31, 2022!
Click one of the buttons below to learn more about the PSLF application process: