Congress often considers whether to open up the cancellation categories to new types of borrowers. We will add new programs to this list if Congress approves them. For now, there is a new program for certain relatives of victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
This program applies to Perkins, FFEL and Direct Loan borrowers. In order to qualify, you must be a relative of an eligible public servant or other eligible victim of the September 11 attacks.
Eligible public servants include police officers, firefighters, other safety or rescue personnel, or members of the Armed Forces who died or became permanently and totally disabled due to injuries suffered in the September 11 attacks. Relatives of eligible public servants include spouses only.
Eligible victims are individuals who died or became permanently and totally disabled due to injuries suffered in the September 11 attacks. Spouses and parents of victims may be able to get discharges.
You must have owed the loan amounts as of September 11, 2001. You can also discharge consolidation loans that you took out to pay off loans that you owed as of September 11, 2001. You must still owe something on the loan when you apply. You cannot get a refund of payments that you already made. Parent may only discharge PLUS loans incurred on behalf of children who were victims of the attacks.
Applicants will have to provide documentation of:
- The individual’s presence at one of the sites of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001;
- The individual’s status as an eligible public servant for those applying under this category; and
- Documentation that the individual’s death or permanent and total disability was a direct result of the attacks.
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