North Dakota University System

Total and Permanent Disability - Perkins

• A Perkins Loan borrower who believes they should be eligible for cancellation due to a disability should complete a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge Application through the Federal Student Aid Website.  
• The Department of Education's Disability Discharge Unit will determine whether or not the application will be approved. 
• If approved the loan is transferred from the SLSC to the Department of Education and the borrower is granted a conditional discharge for three years. 
• At the end of the three years if the borrower still meets the criteria for discharge the loan is cancelled. 
• If the borrower does not meet the criteria then they will go into a repayment status with the Department of Education.

Total and Permanent Disability - Nursing

• Nursing Loan holders requesting cancellation for Total and Permanent Disability must submit a formal request to the Student Loan Service Center.
• Requests must include the following:
  • Nature and date of onset of the disability
  • Employment history prior to disability
  • Statement of financial support
  • Current medical examination and treatment regimen
  • Written consent to release information regarding the loan details and disability to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• The medical report must be sufficiently detailed to provide for a comprehensive review to determine the nature, duration and extent of the impairment and prognosis. 
• Supporting documentation should include history of illness, medical examinations, inpatient and outpatient treatments, and current medications. 
• The medical documentation must be accompanied by a signed and dated statement from the borrower's physician documenting permanent and total disability according to the following definition:
  • Permanent and total disability is defined as being unable to engage in gainful employment of any kind because of a medically determinable impairment which is expected to continue for a long and indefinite period of time or to result in death.
• Once the borrower has provided the required documentation the Student Loan Service Center will forward the information to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 
• The Secretary or designee will formally notify the SLSC of the decision. 
  • If rejected the borrower retains responsibility for the loan repayment.
  • If approved the SLSC will take appropriate action to cancel the loan balance. 

Total and Permanent Disability - Other Loans

• Other loans serviced by the Student Loan Service Center may also have Total and Permanent Disability Cancellation provisions. 
• Review your promissory note and/or contact the SLSC regarding these provisions.