Administrative problems and eligibility hurdles need to be solved for more New Yorkers to gain access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand found in a report released on Thursday by her office. 

The report assessed the loan forgiveness program, a mechanism for alleviating the burden of student debt for those who pursue a career in public service for 10 years. But the program itself has restrictions that prevent people from fully receiving aid, along with administrative errors. 

Gillibrand's report found only 1.2% of public service loan participants in New York have had their loans forgiven. Overall, one out of 14 participants in the program live in New York. And New Yorkers owe more than $8 billion, representing 10% of all outstanding federal student debt in the state. 

“Since its inception, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program has failed to help ease the student debt burden for our nation’s public servants. As a result, millions of social workers, service members, health care workers, public defenders, and others have been denied the support they earned through their hard work and service to our communities,” Gillibrand said. “New Yorkers disproportionately bear this burden, representing an outsized share of the borrowers denied PSLF forgiveness and carrying more than $8 billion in unforgiven debt."

Gillibrand is calling for the passage of a measure, called the What You Can Do for Your Country Act, to address the issues raised in the report. The bill is aimed at reducing confusion surrounding eligibility, give borrowers loan forgiveness for half of what's owed after five years in public service and have the U.S. Department of Education give public servants clearer information and guidance on the loan program itself.