How many hours do you have to work a week for instance a special education classroom to qualify for the service years under the IBR forgiveness. If I work as a paraeducator part time. Loans are in deferment right now if I want to consolidate them and apply for IBR is there a set amount of hours you have to work to qualify first for the IBR and second for the public service forgiveness. Also my husband and I both have loans he makes significantly more than I do so I can file seperately and have the IBR based on my income only. In addition, how do you qualify for IBR if you aren't working at all. I have a son with autism and have been at home with him. He has started school....now and I was looking back to part time in the classroom. I will make next to nothing of course so the payment will be next to nothing. Need some advice/ Thanks so much.