08.19.21

Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Administration for Delivering Relief to Student Borrowers with Total and Permanent Disabilities

WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Education announced a policy change that will provide 323,000 borrowers who have a total and permanent disability (TPD) with more than $5.8 billion in automatic student loan discharges. The changes announced today will also make it easier for eligible students to access the relief that they are legally entitled to receive under the TPD program. 

“I applaud the Biden Administration for once again using its authority to provide desperately needed relief to student loan borrowers and their families. In cases where the federal government already has the information it needs to identify student borrowers eligible for automatic loan discharge under TPD, it should not be asking borrowers to provide that same information before discharging their loans. With this simple and sensible change, more than 320,000 borrowers and their families are being freed from the burden of student loans that they should not have to repay. 

“I am also encouraged by the Administration’s plans to make it easier for eligible students to access the relief that they are legally entitled to receive under the TPD program. The proposed changes to the income verification and monitoring periods will mean less paperwork and more relief for borrowers, while also eliminating the risk of borrowers having their loans reinstated because they did not submit the proper forms. 

“In just eight months, the Biden Administration has delivered student loan relief for hundreds of thousands of eligible borrowers and restored Education Department’s focus on serving the best interests of students, families, and our economy. I look forward to working with the Administration to continue supporting students and making higher education accessible and affordable for all Americans.”

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