North Dakota University System

Qualifying Teacher

A Cancellation and Deferment may be available if you are employed full time as a:

• Teacher in a federally designated low-income school or education services agency.
• Teacher of handicapped students in a public or non-profit elementary or secondary school.
  • The majority of students taught by the borrower must be handicapped children.
• Special education teacher of disabled children.
  • Including infants, toddlers, children or youth with disabilities.
• Teacher in a shortage subject field in a public or non-profit elementary or secondary school.
  • Shortage subject fields include mathematics, science, foreign languages, bilingual education or any other field of expertise that is determined by a state education agency to have a shortage of qualified teachers in that state.
• Faculty member at a tribal college or university.

Deferment requests should be submitted prior to the first year of service. If approved the borrower will be granted deferment during the completion of the required year of employment.  Interest accruals are suspended as well as payments during the deferment period.

Cancellation and deferment requests are required annually.

• Following a year of service in one of the roles listed above a portion of your Perkins Loan balance may be cancelled.  The Cancellation Rates are as follows:
  • 1st year of Service: 15%
  • 2nd year of Service: 15%
  • 3rd year of Service: 20%
  • 4th year of Service: 20%
  • 5th year of Service: 30%

• To APPLY for Cancellation Complete the onlinePERKINS CANCELLATION Form. 
  • The form must be filled out completely.
    • You will need to include a typed, signed letter, on company letterhead from your employer verifying full-time employment, the hire date and the termination date if applicable.
  • You MUST also provide an employer certified job description. 

Speech Language Pathologist and Librarian Services

A Cancellation and Deferment may be available if you are employed full time as a:

• Speech language pathologist with a master's degree working exclusively for low income (Title I) schools.
• Librarian with a master's degree in library science employed in an elementary or secondary low income (Title I) school or public library servicing low income schools.

• Deferment requests should be submitted prior to the first year of service. If approved the borrower will be granted deferment during the completion of the required year of employment.  Interest accruals are suspended as well as payments during the deferment period. 
  • Cancellation and deferment requests are required annually.
• Following a year of service in one of the roles listed above a portion of your Perkins Loan balance may be cancelled.  The Cancellation Rates are as follows:
  • 1st year of Service: 15%
  • 2nd year of Service: 15%
  • 3rd year of Service: 20%
  • 4th year of Service: 20%
  • 5th year of Service: 30%

• To APPLY for Cancellation Complete the onlinePERKINS CANCELLATION Form. 
  • The form must be filled out completely.
    • You will need to include a typed, signed letter, on company letterhead from your employer verifying full-time employment, the hire date and the termination date if applicable.
  • You MUST also provide an employer certified job description. 

Provider of Early Intervention Services or Provider at Family Service Agency

Cancellation and Deferment may be available if you are employed full time as a:

• Provider of early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth to age two) with disabilities in a public or non-profit program.
  • A provider of services, as defined in section 672(2) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provides developmental services under public supervision; at no cost, except where federal or state law provides for a system of payments by families, including a schedule of sliding fees; that are designed to meet a handicapped infant's or toddler's developmental needs. 
• Provider of services directly and exclusively to high-risk children. 
  • High-risk being defined as children under age 21 who are low income; at risk of abuse or neglect; have been abused or neglected; have serious emotional, mental or emotional behavioral disturbances; reside in placements outside of their homes, or are involved in the juvenile judicial system. 
  • The place of employment must be a public or non-profit child or family service agency and the services provided to the children's families must be secondary to services provided to high-risk children.
  • The Department of Education has determined that an elementary or secondary school system or a hospital is not an eligible employing agency for this cancellation benefit.

• Deferment requests should be submitted prior to the first year of service. If approved the borrower will be granted deferment during the completion of the required year of employment.  Interest accruals are suspended as well as payments during the deferment period. 
  • Cancellation and deferment requests are required annually.
• Following a year of service in one of the roles listed above a portion of your Perkins Loan balance may be cancelled.  The Cancellation Rates are as follows:
  • 1st year of Service: 15%
  • 2nd year of Service: 15%
  • 3rd year of Service: 20%
  • 4th year of Service: 20%
  • 5th year of Service: 30%
• To apply for cancellation complete the onlinePERKINS CANCELLATION form. 
  • The form must be filled out completely.
    • You will need to include a typed, signed letter, on company letterhead from your employer verifying full-time employment, the hire date and the termination date if applicable.
  • You MUST also provide an employer certified job description. 

Head Start

A Cancellation and Deferment may be available if you are employed full time as a staff member in the education part of a preschool program under Head Start.

• Deferment requests should be submitted prior to the first year of service. If approved the borrower will be granted deferment during the completion of the required year of employment.  Interest accruals are suspended as well as payments during the deferment period. 
  • Cancellation and deferment requests are required annually.
• Following one year of service a portion of your Perkins Loan balance may be cancelled.  The Cancellation Rates are as follows:
  • 1st year of Service: 15%
  • 2nd year of Service: 15%
  • 3rd year of Service: 15%
  • 4th year of Service: 15%
  • 5th year of Service: 15%
  • 6th year of Service: 15%
  • 7th year of Service: 10%
• To apply for cancellation complete the onlinePERKINS CANCELLATION form. 
  • The form must be filled out completely.
    • You will need to include a typed, signed letter, on company letterhead from your employer verifying full-time employment, the hire date and the termination date if applicable.
  • You MUST also provide an employer certified job description. 

Pre-Kindergarten and Childcare Staff

A Cancellation and Deferment may be available if you are employed full time as a staff member in a pre-kindergarten or childcare program licensed or regulated by state authority.

• Deferment requests should be submitted prior to the first year of service. If approved the borrower will be granted deferment during the completion of the required year of employment.  Interest accruals are suspended as well as payments during the deferment period. 
  • Cancellation and deferment requests are required annually.
• Following a year of service in one of the roles listed above a portion of your Perkins Loan balance may be cancelled.  The Cancellation Rates are as follows:
  • 1st year of Service: 15%
  • 2nd year of Service: 15%
  • 3rd year of Service: 15%
  • 4th year of Service: 15%
  • 5th year of Service: 15%
  • 6th year of Service: 15%
  • 7th year of Service: 10%
• To apply for cancellation complete the onlinePERKINS CANCELLATION form. 
  • The form must be filled out completely.
    • You will need to include a typed, signed letter, on company letterhead from your employer verifying full-time employment, the hire date and the termination date if applicable.
  • You MUST also provide an employer certified job description.

Nurse, Medical Technician or Allied Health Professional

A Cancellation and Deferment may be available if you are employed as a full time state licensed, registered or certified nurse, medical technician or other allied health professional such as a occupation or physical therapist or dental hygienist.   

• Deferment requests should be submitted prior to the first year of service. If approved the borrower will be granted deferment during the completion of the required year of employment.  Interest accruals are suspended as well as payments during the deferment period. 
  • Cancellation and deferment requests are required annually.
• Following a year of service in one of the roles listed above a portion of your Perkins Loan balance may be cancelled.  The Cancellation Rates are as follows:
  • 1st year of Service: 15%
  • 2nd year of Service: 15%
  • 3rd year of Service: 20%
  • 4th year of Service: 20%
  • 5th year of Service: 30%
• To apply for cancellation complete the onlinePERKINS CANCELLATION form. 
  • The form must be filled out completely.
    • You will need to include a typed, signed letter, on company letterhead from your employer verifying full-time employment, the hire date and the termination date if applicable.
  • You MUST provide a copy of a current valid state license.
  • You MUST also provide an employer certified job description.

Firefighter

A Cancellation and Deferment may be available if you are employed as a full time firefighter for a Federal, State, or local fire department or fire district.

• Deferment requests should be submitted prior to the first year of service. If approved the borrower will be granted deferment during the completion of the required year of employment.  Interest accruals are suspended as well as payments during the deferment period. 
  • Cancellation and deferment requests are required annually.
• Following one year of service a portion of your Perkins Loan balance may be cancelled.  The Cancellation Rates are as follows:
  • 1st year of Service: 15%
  • 2nd year of Service: 15%
  • 3rd year of Service: 20%
  • 4th year of Service: 20%
  • 5th year of Service: 30%
• To apply for cancellation complete the onlinePERKINS CANCELLATION form. 
  • The form must be filled out completely.
    • You will need to include a typed, signed letter, on company letterhead from your employer verifying full-time employment, the hire date and the termination date if applicable.
  • You MUST also provide an employer certified job description.

Law Enforcement or Corrections Officer

A Cancellation and Deferment may be available if you are employed full time as a:

• Law enforcement officer for a federal, state or local law enforcement agency.
• Corrections officer for a federal, state or local law corrections agency. 
  • 911 dispatch operation positions do not qualify for cancellation benefits.

• Deferment requests should be submitted prior to the first year of service. If approved the borrower will be granted deferment during the completion of the required year of employment.  Interest accruals are suspended as well as payments during the deferment period. 
  • Cancellation and deferment requests are required annually.
• Following a year of service in one of the roles listed above a portion of your Perkins Loan balance may be cancelled.  The Cancellation Rates are as follows:
  • 1st year of Service: 15%
  • 2nd year of Service: 15%
  • 3rd year of Service: 20%
  • 4th year of Service: 20%
  • 5th year of Service: 30%
• To apply for cancellation complete the onlinePERKINS CANCELLATION form. 
  • The form must be filled out completely.
    • You will need to include a typed, signed letter, on company letterhead from your employer verifying full-time employment, the hire date and the termination date if applicable.
  • You MUST also provide an employer certified job description.

Public Defender or Prosecuting Attorney

A Cancellation and Deferment may be available if you are employed full time as a:

• Lawyer employed by a public defender organization.  The organization must be listed on the Federal Public & Community Defender Directory.
• Prosecuting attorney for a federal, state or local office.

• Deferment requests should be submitted prior to the first year of service. If approved the borrower will be granted deferment during the completion of the required year of employment.  Interest accruals are suspended as well as payments during the deferment period. 
  • Cancellation and deferment requests are required annually.
• Following a year of service in one of the roles listed above a portion of your Perkins Loan balance may be cancelled.  The Cancellation Rates are as follows:
  • 1st year of Service: 15%
  • 2nd year of Service: 15%
  • 3rd year of Service: 20%
  • 4th year of Service: 20%
  • 5th year of Service: 30%
• To apply for cancellation complete the onlinePERKINS CANCELLATION form. 
  • The form must be filled out completely.
    • You will need to include a typed, signed letter, on company letterhead from your employer verifying full-time employment, the hire date and the termination date if applicable.
  • You MUST also provide a copy of the licenses issued by a state agency AND an employer certified job description.

Qualifying Military Service

 A Cancellation and Deferment may be available if you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, the National Guard, or the Reserves and serve a calendar year (12 consecutive months) in a designated area of hostility or imminent danger.

• An "area of hostility" is defined as a location on the Department of Defense Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay area list.
• Cancellation benefits only apply to loans disbursed after July 1, 1987 and for military service performed on or after October 7, 1998.

• Deferment requests should be submitted prior to the first year of service.  If approved the borrower will be granted deferment during the completion of the required year of employment.  Interest accruals are suspended as well as payments during the deferment period. 
  • Cancellation and deferment requests are required annually.  

• The Cancellation Rates are as follows:
  • 1st year of Service: 15%
  • 2nd year of Service: 15%
  • 3rd year of Service: 20%
  • 4th year of Service: 20%
  • 5th year of Service: 30%
• To apply for cancellation complete the onlinePERKINS CANCELLATION form. 
  • The form must be filled out completely.
    • You will need to include a certified copy of your orders for the service time you are requesting cancellation for.

Volunteer in the Peace Corps or AMERICORPS* VISTA Program

A Cancellation and Deferment may be available if you are:

• A volunteer in the Peace Corps
• A volunteer in the AmeriCorps* VISTA program and have elected not to receive a Nation Service Education award.

• Deferment requests should be submitted prior to the first year of service.  If approved the borrower will be granted deferment during the completion of the required year of service.  Interest accruals are suspended as well as payments during the deferment period
  • Cancellation and deferment requests are required annually.
• Following a year of service in one of the roles listed above a portion of your Perkins Loan balance may be cancelled.  The Cancellation Rates are as follows:
  • 1st year of Service: 15%
  • 2nd year of Service: 15%
  • 3rd year of Service: 20%
  • 4th year of Service: 20%
• To apply for cancellation complete the PERKINS CANCELLATION form.
  • The form must be filled out Completely
    • Make sure the authorizing official has placed the organizations official stamp or seal on the form to certify employment.  If no stamp or seal is available the certifying official must provide a typed, signed letter, on company letterhead, verifying the service beginning and ending dates.