For information on how to get grants to pay off student loans by volunteering contact your local office of AmeriCorps (1-800-942-2677), Peace Corps (1-800-424-8580), or the Volunteers in Service to America (1-800-942-2677). During the course of the program the participant is usually paid a small stipend plus given room and board.
College Graduates wishing to have old student loans paid off may receive up to $10,000 of grants by signing up for the National Guard. Unless called to active duty enlisted individuals are expected to put aside one weekend a month and one week a year for training. They are paid monthly income.
Education majors may receive grants to repay portions of a Perkins Loan by teaching at schools who serve a majority of low income students. The program forgives 15% of your loan for the first and second years of teaching service, 20% for the third and fourth, and 30% for the fifth. Contact local school district's to find out eligibility of the school.
Nurses, Doctors, Dentists, and other health care professionals may receive loan forgiveness by working with the undeserved population. To find a data base of loan forgiveness programs for the medical field go to services.aamc.org.
Law students who serve in public interest or non-profit positions may also find government grants to repay old student debt. Go to equaljusticeworks.org for more information.