I have met all of the same requirements, have all the same qualifications, and have provided the same service as countless other teachers who have received $17,500 of student loan forgiveness. However, because I am slightly older and began college prior to the arbitrary date of Oct. 1, 1998; I am not eligible for any student loan forgiveness. This is clearly an example of economic injustice, where myself and many other hard working teachers are being discriminated against and excluded from the Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program for Teachers. Excluding teachers with federal loans prior to Oct. 1, 1998 is arbitrary and patently unfair.