Even though your entire life may seem very clear in college, things often do not turn out the way you planned. This is not necessarily a bad thing. You may try out several subject areas and careers before finding the one that truly makes you happy. The important thing is that ultimately you are in a career and have a job that incorporates your passions and the things that you love most into a lifestyle that enables you to support yourself and your family while still enjoying your friends, family and loved ones. However, finding your dream job is not the only surprise that may take some hard trial and error after you leave college. Starting to pay off your student loans may also be a bit of a struggle. Make sure that you understand exactly what you are required to do depending on your career choice, since many types of careers actually come with poorly publicized options for loan forgiveness. While you should not choose a career solely based on its ability to clear your student loan debt, if you find that the career in question will help you get your loans forgiven then you would be crazy not to take advantage of the opportunity if it is also something that you love.

Here are some ways to determine if you may be eligible for loan forgiveness:

• Do you work in an area of “national need?”

If so, then there are many programs to help you repay your loans and get your debt forgiven. Several years ago, the traditional definition of public service jobs was expanded to include any career that helps meet a national problem. For example, if there is a shortage of teachers and you go teach math in an area with no math teachers, you are helping with national need. Similarly, providing medical or nursing services can apply, as can service in a variety of safety oriented fields and childcare services.

Do not hesitate to check up on this, as funds are limited and forgiveness is provided on a “first come first served” basis. You also can apply for this forgiveness each year you are in the position, and build up your repayment amount. You need to ask your lender about how the Higher Education Opportunity Act impacts your profession, and if they are no help, then seek legal advice or contact the Department of Education even if they do not hold your debt.

• Are you an attorney?

Many lawyers assume that because most people think that their profession is universally a high-income one, that they will not be eligible for assistance. However, this is untrue on many counts, and many civil legal assistance attorneys are eligible for major forgiveness of education related debt. You could get a total of 40,000 dollars over the course of several years to put toward your student loan debt.

It is vitally important not to delay when you learn of a way that your student loans could be forgiven. Much of this legislation is highly dynamic and changes on a regular basis. You need to act fast in order to take advantage of as many of these programs as possible before funding changes or even runs out.