National Guard and Reserve Student Loan Fairness Act

National Guard and Reserve Student Loan Fairness Act would add a special rule to PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) calculations for members of the reserve components (e.g., National Guard and reserves). The bill directs the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to credit months of reserve service toward qualifying PSLF payments based on how that service is credited for retired pay. Specifically, for each full year of covered service (80+ points toward retired pay), every month in that year could count as a qualifying payment if the member made a corresponding monthly payment on an eligible Direct Loan that either meets PSLF payment requirements or would have met them if the member had been employed full-time in public service. For partial years (50–79 points), up to six months per year can count. A data-matching process would automatically identify qualifying payments and total years of covered service, eliminating the need for borrowers to take action. The aim is to ensure reserve members receive appropriate PSLF credit and reduce administrative burdens.