If you can't make payments on one or more of your student loans, you may be able to postone payments temporarily through student loan deferment or forbearance. Or, if you qualify for certain programs you may be able to get rid of loans altogether through student loan cancellation. Below are details about each of these options, including the criteria to qualify.
What's the Difference Between Student Loan Forbearance and Deferment?
When you get a deferment or forbearance of student loans, you stop making payments for a period of time. With deferment, interest does not accrue; with forbearance it does.
Student Loan Relief: Canceling Your Loans
If you have federal student loans and you meet specific criteria, you might qualify for loan forgiveness.
Cancer Patients Can Get a Break on Federal Student Loan Payments
Federal law allows cancer patients to temporarily stop making payments on their federal student loans.
Education Department Announces Permanent Changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
The Biden administration announced a number of permanent changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to make it easier for eligible borrowers to get student loan relief.
U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down President Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness Plan
June 30, 2023. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against the Biden administration’s student debt forgiveness plan in a blow to millions of borrowers.
Canceling Student Loans: School Closure, False Certification, Unpaid Refund
Sometimes you can get rid of your student loans altogether. Learn more.
How to Cancel Your Student Loans if You Attended a Corinthian College
Learn about loan forgiveness for students who attended a Corinthian College.
Student Loan Forgiveness for Permanently Disabled Veterans
Disabled veterans can now get an automatic discharge of their federal student loans.
Biden Forgives $10,000 (or $20,000) for Student Loan Borrowers; Extends Payment Suspension
The payment suspension for most federal student loans will now last through December 31, 2022.
Biden Cancels $1.5 Billion of Student Loans for Former Westwood College Students
Defrauded students who attended Westwood College get a full discharge of federal student loans taken out to attend the school.
Student Loan Debt in Bankruptcy
Yes, you can file for bankruptcy on student loans, and it's getting easier to "discharge" or erase student loans in bankruptcy. But debtors can’t wipe out student loan debt in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy without filing a separate litigation matter. You must prove to a bankruptcy judge that repaying your student loans would cause you undue hardship. If successful, you can get rid of your student loans in bankruptcy.
Does Being on Disability Get Me Out of Paying Student Loans?
Learn whether being on disability could get you out of paying student loans.