Only one state doesn’t have any student loan forgiveness programs If you’re pursuing higher education in the United States, you’ll likely need to take out a student loan to afford it. This is often the case regardless of where in the country you’re enrolled. However, student loan debt does vary by state, so students seeking the same kind of degree may owe more or less than their peers in other regions. But wherever you live, most states have student loan forgiveness programs that may offer relief for graduates struggling to pay off their debt.