7 On Your Side examines student debt forgiveness programs

SAN FRANCSICO (KGO) -- Students and their families look for scholarships, grants and loans before attending school. That's a good thing, but that's where many stop. And it means they're leaving money on the table.

But there is a secret a lot of people aren't in on. There may be college money to be had after graduation, too.

The latest statistics show that 71 percent of students graduating from four-year colleges have student debt averaging $27,000.

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But there is a way to have part of that loan forgiven.

"We do the admissions, financial aid and helping families fund college," said Manuel Fabriquer, a college coach.

In his book, "Go To College For Free," he says where a student works after graduation makes a huge difference.

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"You can go into a government career. The government payback programs are different because you only have to pay for a certain period of time. Usually you have to pay 120 payments on time for the government program to release some of your debt," he said.

So, say you are in medicine, perhaps a nurse, Fbriquer say, ""If you are working for a public hospital you pay for 10 years on a 20 year debt. And you are done."

But if you work for a private hospital, then there is no deal.

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There are also programs for those who work for nonprofits and who join the military.

The rules for these student loan forgiveness programs can get complicated. To learn more, click here.

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For more coverage of student loans, click here.