Reboot Your LifeTampa Student Loan and Bankruptcy Attorney Blog

While it is unlikely that the Trump administration will close the Department of Education anytime soon, it is clear that ED will be dismantled in some form over the next few months to years.  Many of its functions may discontinue or be passed to other federal or even state agencies.

It may be important to download information now while it is easily accessible to save time in the future.  You may need to prove loan balances, payments and the like to protect yourself in case of inaccuracies with a systemic change.  We would suggest that you download your StudentAid.gov records (NSLDS file, dashboard screenshot, PSLF and IDR tracking details), and your loan servicer records (payment histories, key notices/letters).

Keep this information just in case.

During all the hoopla surrounding student loans last year, probably the best program (TPD) out there gets so little attention.  Right now, that’s probably a good thing right?

I’m talking about the ability for someone who is unable to work a full time job doing what they used to do actually getting a discharge of their student loans due to that inability to work.  The test doesn’t read like that exactly, but it’s far from the SSD questions of “Can you feed yourself?”  “Can you dress yourself?”  We’ve long obtained full discharges within a remarkably small time frame of as little as 60-90 days using the TPD program.  We focus on someone’s vocation, what they were trained to do, their experience and actual abilities.  Age matters as well, our best chances exist when we have someone who is 55 or older with cognitive issues.   My former experience as an employment attorney and the use of the ADA and FMLA I think helps to understand and process these claims.  Our streamlined process includes medical professionals who can see our clients via Zoom or in our office in Tampa.

As this program, which has been paused for a couple months, begins anew, we expect some changes.  It’s possible that the test will be more stringently applied.  That’s good and to be commended.  We don’t want people who aren’t deserving of this discharge to get it either.  However, our clients have had long term illnesses and/or injuries that have made it next to impossible to pay their student loans back.  The income simply isn’t there and often hasn’t been for a long time.  Getting a TPD discharge can be life changing now b/c it will get rid of that fear of the government coming after someone or their social security for students.  This includes even Parent Plus loans.  In fact, it may be the only solution for those with Parent Plus loans!

We’re hearing that the results of the IDR recount is being posted as of last night on borrowers’ studentaid.gov site.  Not all loans are processed yet, but most of the processing work for the adjustment is done.  We’ll see this roll out to everyone over the next few weeks.  This recount is very important for those with Direct loans or with former FFEL loans who consolidated before June 30, 2024 — now you will receive IDR credit for months or even years of forbearance and most deferments.  We’ve blogged extensively about this Recount — and the last batch was scheduled for this January.

Here’s a sample:

Check your studentaid.gov site and good luck!!

The highest priority that the Department of Education should be focused on now is updating borrowers’ payment counts with the IDR adjustment/audit.

We have had so many people benefit from this over the past couple years  – but there are still large numbers of people who have consolidated their Direct loans under the promise of the IDR recount and they are waiting for the recount…

Haven’t heard of this before?