The Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2025 would amend the Higher Education Act to expand eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) to certain adjunct and contingent faculty members. Under current law, the bill would add a new category of qualifying employment for non-tenured track instructors—such as adjunct faculty, contingent faculty, teachers, and lecturers—working at institutions of higher education, postsecondary vocational institutions, or Tribal Colleges and Universities.
To qualify, the faculty member would need to meet specified teaching thresholds, including teaching at least 9 credit hours per semester, 6 credit hours per trimester, or 18 credit hours per calendar year, or alternatively working at least 30 hours per week as calculated under a credit/contact-hour formula. The bill also requires that the individual not be employed full-time by any other employer. The measure is intended to recognize the service of part-time higher education instructors and make them eligible for federal student loan forgiveness under PSLF.
Impact
The bill would amend section 455(m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, changing federal student loan forgiveness rules rather than state law. Its practical effect would be to broaden the class of borrowers who can count qualifying teaching employment toward PSLF, potentially benefiting adjunct and contingent faculty at colleges, vocational schools, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Institutions of higher education and loan servicers would need to apply the new eligibility criteria if enacted.
Sentiment
Based on the bill’s sponsorship and title, the measure appears to have a supportive, equity-focused purpose aimed at helping lower-paid higher education instructors access loan forgiveness. The bill was introduced by Senator Durbin with several Democratic cosponsors and referred to committee, with no recorded votes or committee debate in the provided materials. The available context suggests a generally favorable framing, though no formal sentiment from hearings or floor action is available.
Contention
The main policy issue is how broadly to define qualifying adjunct or contingent teaching work for PSLF. Potential points of contention include the teaching-hour thresholds, the formula used to convert credit or contact hours into weekly work hours, and the exclusion of individuals who are full-time employed elsewhere. Critics could argue the bill expands forgiveness eligibility beyond the traditional full-time public service model, while supporters would likely emphasize that many adjunct faculty work substantial hours without full-time status or benefits.