03.29.21

Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Administration for Protecting 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 steps to make it easier for eligible student loan borrowers to get their loans forgiven under the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge program. 

“Today’s announcement is yet another example of how the Biden Administration is using its authority to improve the lives of student loan borrowers and their families. Given the severe challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, many student loan borrowers with disabilities were unable to complete the required income verification that proves their eligibility for loan relief under the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge program. Borrowers with disabilities and their families should not suffer extreme and lasting economic harm for failing to submit paperwork during a global health emergency.  

“Under the leadership of President Biden and Secretary Cardona, the Education Department is ensuring 41,000 borrowers with disabilities receive the loan discharge they are entitled to under the Higher Education Act. This announcement also reduces barriers to relief for an additional 190,000 people facing similar bureaucratic challenges. In just over two months, the Biden Administration has already delivered desperately needed relief to hundreds of thousands of student loan borrowers. I applaud the Biden Administration’s commitment to serving the best interests of students, families, and our economy, and hope it will continue providing expedited loan relief to eligible borrowers who were largely ignored by the previous Administration.” 

###

Press Contact

Democratic Press Office, 202-226-0853