How to Get Student Loans Discarded
Student loans can be a heavy burden to carry, especially for those who are struggling to make ends meet. If you are unable to repay your student loans, there are a few ways to get them discharged.
Borrower Defense to Repayment
If your school engaged in fraudulent or deceptive practices, you may be eligible for borrower defense to repayment. This means that you may be able to have your loans forgiven, even if you have already made payments on them.
To apply for borrower defense to repayment, you must submit a Borrower Defense to Repayment Application to the U.S. Department of Education. You can find the application here: Borrower Defense to Repayment Application: dentaid.gov/borrower-defense/
Medical Discharge
If you have a total and permanent disability, you may be eligible for a medical discharge of your student loans. This means that your loans will be forgiven, and you will not be required to make any further payments.
To apply for a medical discharge, you must submit a Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Application to the U.S. Department of Education. You can find the application here: Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Application: .disabilitydischarge.com/application-process
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans
IDR plans are a way to make your student loan payments more affordable. Under an IDR plan, your monthly payments will be based on your income and family size. If your income is low enough, your monthly payments could be as low as $0.
After making payments under an IDR plan for 20 or 25 years (depending on the plan), the remaining balance of your loan will be forgiven.
To apply for an IDR plan, you must submit an IDR Plan Application to your student loan servicer. You can find the application on your servicer's website.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
If you work full-time for a qualifying government or nonprofit employer, you may be eligible for PSLF. Under PSLF, you can have your remaining student loan balance forgiven after making 120 qualifying payments.
To apply for PSLF, you must submit a PSLF Employment Certification Form to your student loan servicer. You can find the form on your servicer's website.
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