Applicants must:

• Have earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Be in active student loan repayment

• Not be in default

• Not be in a grace period

At this time, doctoral degrees are not eligible due to the significant operational and financial complexities associated with typically larger loan balances. As our funding base grows, eligibility may expand.

Eligible fields include:

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

• Education

• Agriculture

• Healthcare

Both the degree earned and the applicant’s professional field must fall within an approved category. Field classification is applied strictly to ensure fairness and alignment with our public benefit purpose.

Eligibility criteria may evolve as the platform grows.

Yes. Both federal and private student loans are eligible.

However:

• Parent PLUS loans are not eligible.

• Refinanced loans are eligible.

• Consolidated loans are eligible.

• Loans in default are not eligible at this time due to the operational constraints involved in servicing and payoff processing.

For approved applicants:

• Bachelor’s degree holders may receive up to 100% of their eligible student loan balance, subject to our current program maximum.

• Master’s degree holders may receive up to 70% of their eligible balance, subject to our current program maximum.

Our current payout maximum is $150,000 per approved applicant. This cap may be adjusted in the future based on funding availability and program expansion.

This structure reflects our effort to balance fairness, sustainability, and long-term impact. Advanced degrees often carry higher earning potential and expanded professional flexibility, and this model allows us to responsibly support more graduates while preserving the health and continuity of the platform.

If your loan balance exceeds our program maximum and you choose to apply, any funding would be capped at the applicable program limit at the time of approval.

Yes. Paid Forward assistance is a one-time benefit.

Approved recipients may not reapply for additional funding in the future.

Paid Forward conducts a structured review process. Selection is not random.

Applicants may be required to provide:

• Government-issued identification

• Credit report authorization (processed in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act)

• Loan account numbers

• A final payoff statement prior to remittance

Education credentials are verified through trusted third-party verification services where applicable.

Payments are sent directly to verified loan servicers. Funds are never distributed directly to applicants.

There is no upfront cost to apply.

If approved and funded, Paid Forward applies a success-based administrative allocation to support platform operations, compliance, infrastructure, and payroll.

A small 3% transactional buffer is included to account for accrued interest, processing timing, and servicing fees to ensure payoff accuracy.

No.

Approval places you into a funding queue. Because Paid Forward relies entirely on donor contributions, funding availability may vary.

Approval does not guarantee immediate funding.

Applications may temporarily close during active funding rounds as we manage operational capacity.

Loans in a grace period are not eligible. Applicants must be in active repayment status at the time of review.

At this time, loans in default present complex servicing and payoff challenges that limit our ability to process them reliably.

As operational processes evolve, this policy may be revisited.

Applicant data is used strictly for verification and compliance purposes.

We:

• Do not sell applicant information

• Use secure processing systems

• Limit data retention to what is necessary for compliance and internal records

Please review our Privacy Policy for full details.

No.

Officers and employees of Paid Forward are not permitted to place themselves in the applicant pool or benefit from donor funds.

Paid Forward prioritizes graduates in STEM, education, agriculture, and healthcare because these professions form the backbone of innovation, public well-being, food systems, and education.

Our mission is to reduce financial barriers for individuals serving in essential roles across society.

As funding grows, eligibility may expand in alignment with our public benefit purpose.

If applications are temporarily closed, we encourage you to join our newsletter.

We periodically open application windows based on funding capacity and operational readiness.