NYS Child Welfare Worker Loan Forgiveness Incentive FAQs

No. An applicant must agree to work as a child welfare worker providing direct care services at a voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agency in New York State licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) on a full-time basis for five years. 

Direct care services include those which require some degree of interaction between the child/family and the child welfare worker, such performing assessments, home visits, direct implementation of care plans and other similar functions. 

Recipients can receive up to $10,000 per year for up to five years of qualified service or the total amount of their student loan debt, whichever is less. 

Yes. Awards can be used to repay both undergraduate and graduate loans. 

No. Applicants who graduated from college in May 2015 or after may apply for the loan forgiveness award.