US Codex
Bill
Notes

Peace Corps and AmeriCorps Student Loan Forgiveness Act

H.R. 7457 · 118th Congress · Feb 26, 2024 · Lineage

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Education to count months during which Peace Corps volunteers and AmeriCorps members have eligible Federal Direct Loans in deferment or forbearance toward eligibility for public service loan forgiveness, and for other purposes.

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Peace Corps and AmeriCorps Student Loan Forgiveness Act”.

Sec. 2 Deferment periods for Peace Corps volunteers and AmeriCorps members counted toward public service loan forgiveness

(a)
In general— Section 455(m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(m)) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively;
(2)
in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “paragraph (2)” and inserting “paragraph (3)”; and
(3)
by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:

“(2) Treatment of certain periods of deferment or forbearance

“(A) In general—Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, each month of a period described in subparagraph (B) with respect to a borrower of an eligible Federal Direct Loan shall be treated as if the borrower made a qualifying payment under paragraph (1)(A) on such loan.

“(B) Period described—A period described in this subparagraph is any period after October 1, 2007, during which a borrower—

“(i) owes an outstanding balance on an eligible Federal Direct Loan;

“(ii) is in an authorized period of deferment or forbearance; and

“(iii) serves—

“(I) as a Peace Corps volunteer or volunteer leader (as referred to in the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.)); or

“(II) in an approved national service position (as defined in section 101 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12511)).”

(b)
Consultation requirement— In implementing section 455(m)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(m)(2)) (as amended by subsection (a) of this section) the Secretary of Education shall consult with—
(1)
the Director of the Peace Corps;
(2)
the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service; and
(3)
borrowers who may be affected by the implementation of such section, including current and former volunteers of the Peace Corps and current and former AmeriCorps members.