Because education shouldn't mean lifelong debt.
Zero Balance Fund relieves financial hardship for low- and moderate-income Americans burdened by student loan debt. We provide needs-based debt-relief grants — paid directly to loan servicers — to qualifying borrowers selected through an independent, objective review process.
Just paid off
$12,400 · Maria
This month
127 new donors
$4M
Total Donated
$3.8M
Debt Paid Off
8,934
Generous Donors
55,026
Lives Helped
Targets for the 2026/2027 fiscal year.
All funds are distributed through a transparent, independent review process based on demonstrated financial need. Donors support our charitable mission — they do not select individual recipients.
A simple path from gift to freedom
Every donation flows through a transparent, three-step process — pooled into our charitable fund and awarded to qualifying borrowers selected on objective need.
Donors Give
Make a one-time or recurring donation to our general charitable fund. Donors do not select individual recipients.
We Verify
Applicants submit documentation. An independent review committee selects recipients based on objective, needs-based criteria.
Loans Get Paid
We pay servicers directly on behalf of recipients. Balances drop. Dreams move forward.
Why this matters, right now
Behind every statistic is a person delaying a home, a family, a career.
$1.77T
Total U.S. student loan debt outstanding
43.5M
Americans carrying student loan debt
$37,850
Average student loan balance per borrower
20+ yrs
Average time to repay in full
Lives transformed
When student debt disappears, dreams become reality. These are the moments we're making possible.
Dr. Maria
Physician
“Now I can focus on saving lives, not paying bills.”
James
Attorney
“I can finally pursue public interest law without the debt burden.”
The Johnson Family
First-time homeowners
“We bought our first home after our loans were paid off.”
Dr. Priya
Dentist
“I opened my own practice debt-free thanks to ZBF.”
College Friends, Reunited
Class of 2019
“We're all debt-free now. Every gathering is a celebration.”
Sarah
Teacher
“I stayed in teaching because I could afford to.”
Every dollar brings
someone closer to zero.
Your donation goes directly to paying off student loans held by the US government. Together, we can free people from the burden of educational debt.