Loan Discharge/Cancellation Summary

This information is from the "Student Guide" published by the U.S. Department of Education.   For detailed information, check your lender's website.

Cancellation Condition FFEL Program Loans Perkins Loans
Borrower's total and permanent disability or death
100%* 
100% 
Full-time teacher in a designated elementary or secondary school serving students from low-income families
NO** 
YES*** 
Full-time special education teacher (includes teaching children with disabilities in a public or other nonprofit elementary or secondary school)
NO 
Up to 100%**** 

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program - FFEL and Direct Loan Programs

To qualify for up to $5,000 loan forgiveness under this program you must not have had an outstanding balance on a FFEL or Direct Loan program loan as of October 1, 1998. To qualify for the increased amount of loan forgiveness up to $17,500 available for certain mathematics, science, and special education teachers, you must not have had an outstanding balance on a FFEL or Direct Loan program loan as of October 1, 1998, or on the date that you obtained a FFEL or Direct Loan program loan after October 1, 1998.

Yes

 
Full-time qualified professional provider of early intervention services for the disabled
NO 
Up to 100%****,+ 
Full-time teacher of math, science, foreign languages, bilingual education, or in other fields designated as teacher shortage areas
NO++ 
Up to 100%****,+ 
Full-time employee of a public or non-profit child- or family-service agency providing services to high-risk children and their families from low-income communities
NO 
Up to 100%****,+ 
Full-time nurse or medical technician
NO** 
Up to 100%****,+ 
For loans made on or after November 29, 1990, services as a full-time law enforcement or corrections officer
NO 
Up to 100%**** 
Full-time service as a staff member in the educational component of a Head Start Program
NO 
Up to 100%*** 
Service as a Vista or Peace Corps volunteer
NO++ 
Up to 70%*** 
Service in the U.S. Armed Forces
NO 
Up to 50% in areas of hostilities or imminent danger*** 
Bankruptcy
In some cases+++ 
In some cases+++ 
Closed school (before student could complete program of study) or false loan certification^
100%++++ 
NO
* Includes death but not disability of the student for whom the parents borrowed. This additional provision applies to any such student who dies on or after July 23, 1992. 

**Not eligible for discharge or cancellation based on current funding levels. 

***Service qualifies for deferment also. 

****Service qualifies for deferment also for loans made on or after July 1, 1993. 

+This benefit applies to Perkins Loans made on or after July 23, 1992. 

++Not eligible for discharge or cancellation based on current funding levels, but borrower should apply for an economic hardship deferment. 

+++Seven years must have passed between the date the loan became due and the date the borrower files for bankruptcy (not counting deferment or forbearance periods). If seven years have not passed, cancellation is possible only if the bankruptcy court rules that repayment would cause undue hardship. 

++++For loans received on or after January 1, 1986. 

^School falsely certified student's ability to benefit from the school's training, school certified the eligibility of student who would not meet employment requirements at the time of certification in the occupation for which the training was intended, or there is an unauthorized signature on student's loan documentation.

 Contact your lender for additional information.

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