Total and Permanent Disability Loan Discharge
About Total and Permanent Disability Loan Discharge
- Total and permanent disability means you are unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted (or will last) continuously for at least 60 months or could result in death.
- If you are a veteran, you may qualify for this discharge if you are unemployable due to a service-connected condition.
- A final discharge due to total and permanent disability cancels your obligation (and, if applicable, any endorser's obligation) to repay the balance of your federal student loans.
- If your condition existed at the time your loan originated, the condition must have substantially worsened so that you are now totally and permanently disabled.
How to apply
| Step Number | Procedure |
|---|---|
| Step 1: | Download and print the application. |
| Step 2: | If you are not a veteran: Obtain certification of your disability from a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) licensed to practice in the United States. You and your doctor must fill out the application completely and accurately. If you are a veteran: Supply documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs showing that you have been determined to be unemployable due to a service-connected condition. |
| Step 3: | Mail the application with your original signature and any additional documentation to: FedLoan Servicing |
Frequently asked questions
- Which federal loans qualify for Total and Permanent Disability Loan Discharge?
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- Federal Direct Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
- Federal Direct PLUS Loans
- Federal Direct Consolidation Loans
- Federal Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
- Federal PLUS Loans
- Federal Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS)
- Federal Consolidation Loans
- Spousal Consolidation loans—do they qualify for Total and Permanent Disability Loan Discharge?
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A spousal Consolidation Loan consists of loans from both a husband and a wife.
- Both spouses must be eligible for a discharge to discharge the entire Consolidation Loan.
- If only one spouse is disabled and eligible for this discharge, both spouses are still responsible for paying the portion of the loan that originally belonged to the nondisabled spouse.
- I am a veteran. What if I forget to send the required documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
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You must send with your application your documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs showing that you have been determined to be unemployable due to a service-connected condition. If you do not include this necessary information with your application, we will return the application to you.
- Where can I learn more about the Total and Permanent Disability Loan Discharge?
- Visit the U.S. Department of Education website.