In most cases the loans people take out to pay for college will have to be paid back, typically starting about six months after graduation. There are some colleges and certain federal programs that allow for student loan forgiveness, but it is not going to be like apologizing to your mother for breaking a vase. In most instances, student loan forgiveness for all or part of the loan will require that certain criteria be met and the student meets the requirements for canceling the loans.

Many government loans for education can be reduced through different methods, such as volunteering, military, teaching or providing legal or medical services. AmeriCorps volunteer service allows for $4,725 to be erased from government school loans in exchange for a year of service. It also provides a cash stipend to help pay living expenses while away from home. Joining the Peace Corps can also help with student loan forgiveness at the rate of 15 percent of the loan for every year graduates spend volunteering.

Volunteers In Service to America, VISTA volunteers can receive $4,725 in student loan forgiveness for every 1700 hours in community service provided for non-profit work with the poor. There are also some ways that student loan forgiveness can be gained while being a member of the military.

Providing Services Where It Is Most Needed
Many low-income communities have trouble finding qualified teachers to fill their schools and student loan forgiveness for government loans are available for new teachers will to teach in certain schools. Most of these programs offer a 15 percent reduction in the amount of the loan in the first and second year teaching in a qualified school. Another 20 percent of the total can be dropped during the third and fourth year with another 30 percent cut in the fifth year, meaning that 85 percent of the loan balance can be forgiven after five years.

Many law schools and medical schools also offer student loan forgiveness if their graduates agree to fulfill obligations providing service to the poor or economically challenged residents in certain communities. In addition to receiving student loan forgiveness, they also receive valuable experience in real life settings.

Those students who do not qualify for student loan forgiveness may look at federal student loan consolidation if they received funding for their education from more than one source. Often consolidation through the government can reduce the monthly aggregate payments required on several student loans.