Has anyone else run into this with Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)?

I’ve spent over a decade working on public programs, specifically education and training programs helping individuals get employed and stay compliant with child support, etc… so very much “public service” in the real-world sense.

The programs themselves were publicly funded and awarded to PSLF eligible nonprofits, but…

Here’s the catch:

those nonprofits contracted out staffing to private companies. So technically, I was employed by a private contractor the whole time.

Which means:

• Not a direct government employee
• Not directly employed by a qualifying nonprofit
• Therefore… not eligible for PSLF

Even though the actual work was 100% aligned with what PSLF is supposed to support.

It’s a weird loophole where the work qualifies, the mission qualifies, the funding qualifies… but the employment structure disqualifies you.

• Has anyone successfully navigated this?
• Any exceptions?
• Any way to document the “true” nature of the work?

Or am I just out of luck because of how the contracts were structured?

Would really appreciate hearing if anyone else has dealt with this.