Louisiana Student Loan Forgiveness & Refi Guide (2026)
State-funded forgiveness programs, state tax treatment, and refi considerations for Louisiana borrowers. Average debt per borrower in Louisiana: $35,000.
Louisiana's broader TOPS scholarship architecture, while not technically loan forgiveness, can substantially reduce upfront borrowing for in-state students — making forgiveness less critical in the first place.
Louisiana student loan snapshot
| Average debt per borrower | $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Taxes federal forgiveness as income? | No |
| State student-loan interest deduction beyond federal? | No (federal $2,500 above-the-line deduction still applies) |
| In-state refi note | Pelican State Credit Union and Campus Federal Credit Union are notable Louisiana-based options; cross-shop with national lenders for the most competitive APRs. |
Figures are 2025/2026 approximations. Tax treatment in particular evolves year to year — confirm exact rules with your tax preparer or the state Department of Revenue before relying on them.
Louisiana forgiveness & repayment-assistance programs
Louisiana does not tax federally forgiven student debt as state income. State programs concentrate on healthcare workforce shortages through the Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program.
- Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) — up to $30,000+ for primary-care, dental, and behavioral-health providers in Louisiana HPSAs.
- Louisiana TOPS-Tech Early Start Award — adjacent state aid that reduces upfront borrowing for qualifying students.
- Varies — check with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance for current teacher-specific programs.
Note: state-funded program funding levels and eligibility windows change annually. Always confirm current funding and application periods on the state agency's website before counting on any program.
Run the numbers on a typical Louisiana debt load
We've pre-filled the balance below with Louisiana's average per-borrower debt of $35,000. Tweak the rate and payment to match your real situation.
Loan details
Principal vs interest
- Principal$35,000
- Interest$12,565
Louisiana student loan FAQ
What student loan forgiveness programs exist in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not tax federally forgiven student debt as state income. State programs concentrate on healthcare workforce shortages through the Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program.
How much is the average student debt in Louisiana?
The average student loan debt per borrower in Louisiana is approximately $35,000. National averages run around $37,000 per borrower in 2026, so Louisiana sits near the national average.
Does Louisiana tax federal student loan forgiveness as income?
Louisiana does not tax federally forgiven student debt as state income. (For federally taxable years, the federal government may still tax the forgiven amount unless Congress extends the American Rescue Plan exclusion past 2025.)
Can I deduct student loan interest on my Louisiana state taxes?
Louisiana doesn't currently offer a state-specific student loan interest deduction beyond the federal $2,500 above-the-line deduction. Confirm the latest with the state Department of Revenue before filing.
Should I refinance my federal student loans in Louisiana?
Refinancing federal loans into a private loan is permanent — you forfeit PSLF, IDR (PAYE/SAVE/IBR/ICR), and federal forbearance protections. Only refi if you're confident you won't need any of these. Use our refinance calculator to model the savings, and the lender comparison below to see real rates.
Are there Louisiana-specific refi lenders?
Pelican State Credit Union and Campus Federal Credit Union are notable Louisiana-based options; cross-shop with national lenders for the most competitive APRs.
More calculators
Refinance Calculator
Monthly savings, lifetime interest delta, and the federal-protections trade-off.
Snowball vs Avalanche
Side-by-side multi-loan strategy comparison with chart.
IDR Plan Comparator
Estimate your monthly payment under PAYE, SAVE, IBR, and ICR.
PSLF Tracker
Months remaining to 120 qualifying payments, projected forgiveness date, and the dollar value of forgiveness.
Biweekly Payment Calculator
How splitting your monthly payment in half and paying every 2 weeks shaves years off the loan.
Ready to refinance your student loans?
Compare personalized rates from top student-loan refi lenders. Most checks are a soft credit pull only — your FICO score isn't dinged.
Compare 5+ Refi Lenders
See personalized rate quotes from multiple top student-loan refi lenders in one place.
- ✓Soft credit pull only
- ✓5+ competing rate quotes
- ✓Free, no obligation
Get Your Rate in 60 Seconds
Modern, fully online refi with a 2-minute application and member benefits.
- ✓100% online application
- ✓Soft pull for prequalified rates
- ✓No fees on most refis
Specialist Refi Lender
A student-loan-only refi lender that consistently posts some of the lowest rates available.
- ✓Student-loan-only specialist
- ✓No application or origination fees
- ✓Flexible 5-20 year terms
Advertiser disclosure: cards above are sponsored. We may earn a commission when you refinance through our partners — at no cost to you. Compensation does not influence which lenders are shown.