Student Loan FAQs: Answers to Your Top Questions

Student loan forgiveness has been a hot topic in recent years, with more and more individuals seeking relief from the burden of student debt. We’ll dive into some of the most frequently asked questions about student loan forgiveness, including the criteria for eligibility, the amount of forgiveness available, and how to apply for discharge.

Table of Contents: 

• Criteria for Student Loan Forgiveness 

• Does Loan Forgiveness apply to Graduate Loans as well as Undergraduate Student Loans? 

• How much loan forgiveness is available?

• How to get a Student Loan Discharged?

• Is Student Loan Forgiveness going to happen? 

• Pause on Student Loan Repayment 

• Student Loan Discharge 

• Student Loan Discharge in Bankruptcy 

• Student Loan Discharge Disability Form 

• Student Loan Discharge in Bankruptcy  

• Student Loan Forgiveness 

• Forgiveness of Parent Plus Loans

• Forgiveness as of Today

• Contact Customer Service

• StudentAid.gov 

• Student Loan Repayment

• Student Loan Repayment Simulator 

• When payments on Student Debt start again 

• When is the Forgiveness Application Available?  

• When Are the Discharges Effective? 

• When Will Student Loan Forgiveness Happen? 

• When do Student Loan Payments Resume? 

• When do Student Loan Repayments Start? 

• Does Anyone Receive Checks?

• Who Pays for Student Loan Forgiveness? 

• Who Qualifies for Student Loan Forgiveness?  

• Will There Be Another Extension?
• Will Student Loan Payments Be Deferred Again?

Criteria For Student Loan Forgiveness

The criteria for student loan forgiveness can vary depending on the specific forgiveness program. However, some common eligibility requirements include having federal student loans, working in a qualifying public service position, or meeting income-based repayment plan requirements. It’s important to research the specific requirements for each forgiveness program to determine if you’re eligible.  

Does Student Loan Forgiveness Apply to Graduate Loans as well as Student Undergraduate Loans?  

Yes, debt forgiveness can apply to graduate loans. However, some forgiveness programs may have different eligibility requirements for graduate loans compared to undergraduate loans.  

How Much Student Loan Forgiveness is Available?  

The amount of available can vary depending on the forgiveness program. Some programs may forgive a portion of your remaining balance, while others may forgive the entire balance. It’s important to research the specific forgiveness program to determine how much forgiveness may be available to you.  

How to Get a Student Loan Discharged?  

There are several ways to get a student loan discharged, including through disability discharge, bankruptcy discharge, and closed school discharge. It’s important to research each discharge option and determine which one may be applicable to your situation.  

Is Student Loan Forgiveness Going to Happen?  

The possibility of student debt forgiveness has been a topic of debate in recent years, with some lawmakers advocating for widespread forgiveness. While there is no guarantee that forgiveness will happen, it’s important to stay informed on any updates or changes to forgiveness programs.  

Pause on Student Loan Repayment  

The pause on student loan repayment, which was implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended several times. As of now, the pause is set to end on May 1, 2022.  

Student Loan Discharge  

Student loan discharge is the process of having your student loans forgiven or cancelled. There are several discharge options available, including disability discharge, bankruptcy discharge, and closed school discharge.  

Student Loan Discharge Bankruptcy  

Student loan discharge through bankruptcy is possible but can be challenging to obtain. In most cases, you’ll need to demonstrate that repaying your student loans would cause undue hardship.  

Student Loan Discharge Disability Form  

If you have a permanent disability, you may be eligible for student loan discharge through the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge program. You’ll need to submit a TPD Discharge application and provide documentation of your disability.  

Student Loan Discharge in Bankruptcy  

As mentioned earlier, student loan discharge through bankruptcy can be challenging to obtain. In most cases, you’ll need to demonstrate that repaying your student loans would cause undue hardship.  

Student Loan Forgiveness  

The process of having a portion or all of your student loans forgiven or cancelled. Forgiveness can be granted through a variety of programs, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income-Driven Repayment Forgiveness.  

Forgiveness of Parent Plus Loans  

Parent Plus loans are eligible for forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. However, they are not eligible for forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans.  

Forgiveness as of Today  

As of today, it is still available through several forgiveness programs. However, it’s important to stay informed of all updates or changes to these programs.  

Contact Customer Service  

If you have questions, you can contact your loan servicer or the Federal Student Aid Information Center for assistance.  

StudentAid.gov  

A website that provides information on forgiveness programs and how to apply for forgiveness.  

Student Loan Repayment  

If you’re not eligible for forgiveness or discharge, you’ll need to repay your student loans. There are several repayment options available, including standard repayment, graduated repayment, and income-driven repayment.  

Student Loan Repayment Simulator  

If you’re unsure which repayment plan is right for you, you can use a student loan repayment simulator to compare your options. These simulators can provide you with an estimate of your monthly payment and total repayment amount under each plan.  

When payments on Student Debt start again 

Your student loan repayment will begin after any grace period has ended or after the pause on repayment has been lifted. The specific start date of your repayment will depend on your loan terms and the current status of repayment.  

When is the Forgiveness Application Available?  

The application for each program depends on the specific forgiveness program. For example, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program requires you to make 120 qualifying payments before you can apply for forgiveness.  

When Are the Discharges Effective?  

The effective date of your discharge will depend on the specific forgiveness program. For example, under the Income-Driven Repayment Forgiveness program, your remaining loan balance will be forgiven after 20 or 25 years of qualifying payments.  

When Will Student Loan Forgiveness Happen?  

 The possibility has been a topic of debate, and it’s unclear when or if widespread forgiveness will be implemented. However, there are several forgiveness programs currently available for eligible borrowers.  

When do Student Loan Payments Resume?  

As of now, student loan payments are set to resume on May 1, 2022, after several extensions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

When do Student Loan Repayments Start?  

Your student loan repayment will start after any grace period has ended or after the pause on repayment has been lifted. The specific start date of your repayment will depend on your loan terms and the current status of repayment.  

Does Anyone Receive Checks?  

If you’re eligible for student loan forgiveness, your remaining loan balance will be forgiven or cancelled. You will not receive a physical check for forgiveness.  

Who Pays for Student Loan Forgiveness?  

Student loan forgiveness is paid by the government or loan servicer, depending on the specific forgiveness program.  

Who Qualifies for Student Loan Forgiveness?  

The eligibility requirements for student loan forgiveness can vary depending on the specific forgiveness program. Some common eligibility requirements include having federal student loans, working in a qualifying public service position, or meeting income-based repayment plan requirements.  

Will There Be Another Extension?  

The possibility of extending student loan forgiveness has been a topic of debate. However, it’s important to stay informed on any updates or changes to forgiveness programs.  

Will Student Loan Payments Be Deferred Again?  

As of now, there are no plans to extend the pause on student loan payments beyond June, 2023.  

In conclusion, student loan forgiveness and repayment can be complex topics to navigate. It’s important to research the specific forgiveness programs and repayment options available to determine which one is right for you. Additionally, staying informed on any updates or changes to these programs can help you make informed decisions about your student loans.