Looking for student loan relief? This new program could offer forgiveness in exchange for volunteer work

AcrosstheUnitedStatesthereisagrowingproblemoffewervolunteerfirefightersandEMTfirstresponders.Thesituationhasbeenrecognizedforthepastcoupledecades,whichgrewworseinthewakeofthecovid-19pandemic,andismoreacuteinruralcommunities. InanattempttoreversethetrendandincentivizemoreAmericanstovolunteertobefirstresponders,NewYorkRepresentativeDanGoldmanhasintroducedlegislationthatwouldprovidethemwithfederalstudentloandebtforgiveness.“VolunteerfirefightersandEMTsrisktheirliveseverydaytokeepussafe,yetthey’retoooftendeniedtherecognitionandsupportgrantedtootherpublicservants,”saidthedemocraticcongressmaninapressrelease. FederalstudentloandebtforgivenessinexchangeforvolunteerworkThebillintroducedonWednesdayiscalledHelpingEmergencyRespondersOvercomeStudentDebt(HEROES)Actof2025.ItproposesexpandingeligibilityforloanforgivenessunderthePublicServiceLoanForgiveness(PSLF)programtoincludevolunteerfirefightersan