Total and Permanent Disability Discharge

If you have a total and permanent disability, you may qualify to have your federal student loans and TEACH Grant obligations completely discharged — meaning you no longer owe them.

What Is TPD Discharge?

Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge is a federal program that cancels your federal student loan debt if you are totally and permanently disabled. This means you have a severe, ongoing physical or mental impairment that prevents you from working and earning income.

TPD discharge applies to Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL), and Perkins Loans. It can also discharge service obligations under the TEACH Grant program.

Unlike bankruptcy or income-driven repayment forgiveness, a TPD discharge is not taxable at the federal level under current law — meaning you will not receive a large tax bill when your loans are discharged.

3 Pathways to Qualify

Automatic data match

Social Security Administration (SSA)

If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and your next scheduled disability review is 5 to 7 years away (or you have been designated as 'Medical Improvement Not Expected'), you automatically qualify. Nelnet (the TPD servicer) will receive your information from SSA automatically.

Automatic data match

Veterans Affairs (VA)

If the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has determined that you are unemployable due to a service-connected disability, you qualify. Nelnet will receive your VA data automatically, or you can submit documentation yourself.

Requires physician form

Physician Certification

A licensed physician (Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine) must certify that you are totally and permanently disabled — meaning you are unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted, or can be expected to last, at least 60 months or will result in death.

How to Apply: Step by Step

  1. 1

    Check if you qualify automatically

    Visit DisabilityDischarge.com (operated by Nelnet on behalf of the Department of Education). If you receive SSA or VA benefits, your data may already be on file. You may receive a letter in the mail notifying you of eligibility.

  2. 2

    Complete the TPD application

    If you are applying via physician certification, download the TPD Discharge Application (form available on DisabilityDischarge.com), have a licensed physician complete and sign the relevant section, and submit it online or by mail to Nelnet.

  3. 3

    Stop making payments during review

    Once your application is received, you may be placed on a temporary forbearance for up to 120 days while your application is reviewed. You do not need to make payments during this period.

  4. 4

    Receive discharge determination

    If approved, your loan servicer will discharge your remaining loan balance. For SSA and physician pathway discharges, a 3-year post-discharge monitoring period begins. VA discharges do not have a monitoring period.

  5. 5

    Monitor your income (if applicable)

    During the 3-year post-discharge monitoring period, the Department of Education will monitor whether your income exceeds the poverty guideline threshold for a family of two. If it does, your loans may be reinstated.

What TPD Discharge Covers — and What It Doesn't

What Is Covered

  • All Direct Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS, Consolidation)
  • Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL)
  • Federal Perkins Loans
  • TEACH Grant service obligations
  • Loans held by the Department of Education
  • Loans that are currently in default or delinquent

What Is NOT Covered

  • Private student loans (not a federal program)
  • State-issued student loans
  • Loans not backed by the federal government
  • Credit card debt or personal loans used for education
  • Institutional loans made directly by a college or university

Important: Post-Discharge Monitoring Period

For discharges based on physician certification or SSA determination (not VA), the Department of Education monitors your earnings for 3 years after discharge. If your annual earnings exceed the federal poverty guideline for a family of two (approximately $18,000–$20,000), your discharged loans will be reinstated and you will owe the full original balance. Keep records of all income during this period. VA-based discharges do not have a monitoring period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore Other Relief Options

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