Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Total & Permanent Disability Discharge

Borrowers with a total and permanent disability that prevents substantial gainful activity may qualify for complete discharge of their federal student loans and TEACH Grant service obligations through this Department of Education program.

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What Is TPD Discharge?

The Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge program relieves eligible borrowers from repaying their federal student loans and/or TEACH Grant service obligations if they are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment that is expected to result in death, has lasted for a continuous period of at least 60 months, or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 60 months.

Three Ways to Verify Your Disability

Physician Certification

A licensed medical doctor or osteopath certifies your total and permanent disability using the Department of Education's TPD certification form. Your physician must confirm your disability prevents substantial gainful activity.

Veterans Administration (VA)

If the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has determined you are unemployable due to a service-connected disability, you can submit your VA documentation as proof — no additional physician certification needed.

Social Security Administration

If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and your next scheduled disability review is 5-7 years or more away, you qualify for automatic discharge.

Who Qualifies

You have a physical or mental impairment that is medically determinable

The disability prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity

The condition has lasted 60+ months or is expected to last 60+ months

Your disability is certified by an M.D., D.O., the VA, or SSA

You hold eligible federal student loans (Direct, FFEL, or Perkins)

Your TEACH Grant service obligations may also be discharged

Program Benefits

100% discharge of eligible federal student loans

TEACH Grant service obligation discharge

3-year post-discharge monitoring period — no payments required

No tax liability on the discharged amount under current federal law

Discharged loans are removed from your credit report

You keep any refunds from payments made on discharged loans

Important: 3-Year Post-Discharge Monitoring Period

After your loans are discharged, the Department of Education places you in a 3-year post-discharge monitoring period. During this time, you must not:

Take out new federal student loans (unless you provide physician certification of ability to engage in substantial gainful activity)
Receive a new TEACH Grant (same physician certification exception applies)
Have earnings from employment that exceed the substantial gainful activity threshold established by SSA

If these conditions are violated during the monitoring period, your discharged loans may be reinstated. Our team explains all of this clearly and helps you navigate the requirements to keep your discharge permanent.

Get Relief Through TPD Discharge

If a disability prevents you from working, you should not be burdened by student loan debt. Let us help you navigate the TPD discharge process with compassion and expertise. Schedule your free assessment today.

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