Death, Disability and Bankruptcy

Under certain circumstances, your student loan debt may be cancelled. Federal law provides for cancellation due to:

• Death;
• Total and permanent disability;
• Discharge of debt in bankruptcy;
• Inability to complete your program of study due to the school closing; or false certification of your loan by the school.

Ask your lender or your school for more information if you feel you may be eligible for loan-cancellation benefits.

If you believe you are eligible for a loan discharge or cancellation, please click here for the application forms and send completed forms to the lender or servicer of your loan(s).

However, if you are only temporarily totally disabled, a deferment is available to cover a period during which a borrower is totally disabled or unable to secure or continue employment because the borrower is caring for a dependent or spouse who is temporarily totally disabled.

The Stafford/Direct Loan that you are seeking to have deferred must have been disbursed prior to July 1, 1993; PLUS Loan borrowers must have been disbursed before August 15, 1983. Click here to check to see when your loan(s) was disbursed.

If you meet these requirements, you may be eligible for a temporary total disability deferment. Please click here for the deferment request form and send completed forms to the lender or servicer of your loan(s).

If you do not meet these requirements, please click here for information on forbearances.