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For many college graduates, managing student loan debt is one of the biggest financial challenges after earning a degree.
With job markets in flux and salaries not always matching expectations, making loan payments can feel like a never-ending struggle. But there's a path that not only helps with loan relief, it also lets you give back to your community in a meaningful way: volunteering.
Student loan help through service: A guide to your options
Volunteering might traditionally be seen as a selfless act, but it can also come with powerful personal benefits.
Beyond the chance to build experience and connect with others, some volunteer programs are designed to help reduce or even forgive student loan debt.
Both government-backed initiatives and nonprofit organizations offer incentives for service, creating win-win opportunities for those looking to help others and manage their finances.
One of the best-known programs is AmeriCorps, which places volunteers in roles across the U.S. tackling issues like education, poverty, and environmental challenges.
Volunteers who complete their term of service can receive an education award, currently valued at up to $6,895, to pay off qualified student loans.
AmeriCorps also allows volunteers to pause their loan payments during service and may cover the interest accrued during that time.
For those willing to go abroad, the Peace Corps offers another option.
Volunteers serve in areas like education, healthcare, and community development.
While serving, they can defer federal loans and earn time toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
Certain loans, such as Perkins Loans, may even be partially forgiven, up to 70% in some cases.
There are also more specialized opportunities.
Shared Harvest Fund connects healthcare professionals to projects in underserved communities.
Volunteers can earn between $125 and $500 per project in loan relief, with a potential annual total of up to $12,500.
Another option is Teach for America, where educators placed in high-need schools earn a salary and can count their teaching time toward PSLF.
New legislation could expand these benefits even further.
The proposed HEROES Act of 2025 aims to offer student loan forgiveness to volunteer firefighters and EMTs, a move intended to bolster declining volunteer numbers in emergency services.
With over two-thirds of U.S. fire departments relying on volunteers, this proposal could provide much-needed while reducing debt for public servants.
Whether through domestic service or international aid, volunteering can offer real financial relief, all while making a difference in the lives of others.