Beyer, Carson, Chu Introduce Legislation to Expand Student Debt Relief for Fulbright Teachers
August 15, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), André Carson (D-IN), and Judy Chu (D-CA) today introduced the Fulbright Teacher's Loan Forgiveness Act, legislation to expand student debt relief qualification under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program for participants in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange and Teaching Assistant programs.
“Participants in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange and Teaching Assistant programs are educators serving the public, both in the U.S. and abroad. Their work meets the definition of public service that the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program was designed to honor, and Congress should recognize their public service by expanding PSLF benefits to help ease the burden of student loan debt.” said Rep. Don Beyer. “Not only have Fulbright teachers earned debt forgiveness through their service, but alleviating their debt would also encourage more talented educators to commit to public service without the fear of crippling financial debt.”
“Fulbright English Teacher Assistants (ETAs) and Teacher Exchange participants serve the American public by fostering mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through educational and cultural exchange, while receiving a modest stipend—similar to programs like the Peace Corps. But unlike Peace Corps participants, Fulbrighters aren’t eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF),” said Rep. Judy Chu. “It is past time for Congress to acknowledge Fulbright teachers as public servants deserving of loan forgiveness, and I want to thank Reps. Beyer and Carson for their partnership on this bill to do just that.”
The bill was developed following a constituent, and Fulbright alum's, request for the programs to count toward PSLF benefits, similar to existing public service programs like the Peace Corps.
The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Dwight Evans (D-PA) and Sarah McBride (D-DE). The bill is endorsed by The Fulbright Association.
Text of the Fulbright Teacher's Loan Forgiveness Act is available here.
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