FAQs
Can my student loans be forgiven if my spouse is disabled?
You cannot get your federal student loans forgiven if your spouse is disabled. However, your spouse may be eligible to have their student loan debt forgiven through the TPD Discharge Program.
Do I qualify for student loan forgiveness if my spouse is a 100% disabled veteran?
There are no student loan forgiveness programs for spouses of 100% disabled veterans. While your disabled spouse can get rid of their loans, there aren’t any options to eliminate any of your debt — even if you’re the primary caretaker.
Is there student loan forgiveness for partially disabled veterans?
Veterans with less than a 100% disability rating (e.g., 90%, 50%, etc.) can discharge their student loan debt if a doctor certifies that their mental or physical impairment — for example, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — prevents them from engaging in substantial gainful employment.
Can my student loans be forgiven if my child is disabled?
If your child is permanently disabled, the Department of Education will not forgive theParent PLUS Loansyou borrowed on their behalf. However, it will forgive the loans you borrowed for yourself if you become severely disabled.Similarly, some private lenders will forgive your child’s loan balance if they are disabled. But if you were a cosigner on those loans, the lender will demand repayment from you. Since most student loan debtnever goes away, negotiating astudent loan settlementmay be your only way to get relief.
Can you get student loans while on disability?
Typically, you’re blocked from borrowing new federal student loans after receiving a disability discharge, but there’s one exception. You can borrow more loans if a physician certifies that you can engage in substantial gainful activity — and you sign a statement acknowledging that the new loan or TEACH Grant service obligation can’t be discharged in the future based on the same disability (unless your health deteriorates).
