Loan forgiveness programs offer an alternative to repaying loans for college students. Individual companies or organizations have specific requirements for loan forgiveness programs. Some programs may base the requirements on the industry, while others may use criteria such as the needs of the organization or local community. For example, a nursing loan forgiveness program may add a clause that requires nurses to take extra continuing education courses or require nurses to work in a local free clinic. A school district offering loan forgiveness may require teachers to work in a certain area of the school district, such as a high-needs area, for a set length of time. These requirements should be made clear prior to agreeing to the program. That way, anyone participating in the program will not have any surprises along the way. Many loan forgiveness programs are based on what the student does after graduation. However, there are some that have requirements for the students while they are still taking classes. For example, a program may require the students to volunteer with for a specific cause or do an unpaid internship with the company. These requirements can be beneficial to the students as well, since they can help prepare him or her for expectations after graduation. If you are considering using a loan forgiveness program, be sure you know exactly what would be expected of you in the program. You should also be sure you know what is expected of the organization or company, as well. For example, find out whether your loans will be forgiven in full, or if it will be partial reimbursement. Get complete answers to any and all questions you have, and be sure to have copies of all paperwork explaining the program. If you know you are interested in a loan forgiveness program, planning for it early in your college career will help the process run more smoothly. You can be sure to meet any requirements while taking classes, and be prepared for expectations of you after graduation. And when your loans are forgiven, you can concentrate on your new career instead of worrying about how to pay your loan payments.