H.R. 3486House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Recognizing Military Service in PSLF Act

Introduced May 25, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 3:32 AM UTC

The Recognizing Military Service in PSLF Act would require the Secretary of Education to treat each month that a borrower’s federal student loans are in deferment because the borrower is on active military duty as a qualifying month toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This change helps service members who pause loan payments while serving to have those months count toward loan forgiveness.

Key Provisions

  • Amends Section 455(m) of the Higher Education Act to add a new provision that active‑duty deferment periods count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
  • Directs the Secretary of Education to deem each month of deferment (or forbearance) during active duty as if the borrower made a qualifying payment for PSLF.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

May 25, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 25, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

May 25, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 25, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3486

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 25, 2021

Mr. Courtney (for himself and Mr. Johnson of South Dakota) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Education to deem each month for which certain Federal student loans are in deferment during a period of active duty service as months counted toward public service loan forgiveness.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Recognizing Military Service in PSLF Act.

2.

Active duty deferment periods counted toward public service loan forgiveness

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)

Active duty deferment periods

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Secretary shall deem each month for which a loan payment was in deferment under subsection (f)(2) of this section or for which a loan payment was in forbearance under section 685.205(a)(7) of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (or similar successor regulations), for a borrower described in subsection (f)(2)(C) as if the borrower of the loan had made a payment for the purpose of public service loan forgiveness under this subsection.

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