Posted Date:September 3, 2009
Author: William Leith, Service Director, Program Management, Federal Student Aid
Subject: Implementation of New Web Site for Total and Permanent Disability Discharge
A new Web site has been implemented for the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge process. Borrowers seeking a disability discharge of their Family Federal Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans, Federal Perkins Loan Program loans, and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant service obligations will find complete information at the new TPD Discharge Web site.
The TPD Discharge Web site serves as an online information resource center for the TPD Discharge process. It has a user-friendly interactive graphic that explains the steps involved in the TPD Discharge process, from submission of a discharge application through final discharge. Users can also find the TPD Discharge application form, definitions of roles and responsibilities, and important contact information. The TPD Discharge Web site is organized in the following four sections:
For Borrowers - The material in this section explains the TPD Discharge process from a borrower’s perspective. The section provides online access to the TPD Discharge application as well as online resources to ensure the borrower successfully submits a complete TPD Discharge application. The section also includes a set of frequently asked questions specific to borrowers.
For Physicians - The material in this section explains the physician’s role in the TPD Discharge process. The section explains the types of physicians who are eligible to certify a TPD Discharge application, describes the information that physicians must provide on or with the TPD Discharge application, and includes a set of frequently asked questions specific to the physician community.
For Loan Holders - The material in this section explains the TPD Discharge process for loan holders. The section provides information about how loan holders should review applications. In addition, it provides information about how guaranty agencies and Perkins schools assign loans or submit borrower application materials to the Department of Education for determination of discharge eligibility. This section also includes a set of frequently asked questions specific to loan holders, particularly to assist in the resolution of issues related to TPD Discharge submissions.
For Veterans - As recently explained in Dear Colleague Letter GEN-09-07, there is a separate disability discharge process for certain veterans. The material in this section describes this separate process and explains which veterans are eligible and how they apply for a TPD discharge.
We invite borrowers, physicians, loan holders, and the financial aid community to explore the new TPD Discharge Web site. Note that the URL for the Web site does not require the "www" prefix in order to load via a Web browser.
| New TPD Discharge Web site | http://disabilitydischarge.ed.gov |
Contact Information
We hope the new site is easy to use and becomes a helpful tool for all concerned audiences - borrowers, physicians, loan holders, and veterans. If you have questions or comments about the TPD Discharge Web site, contact Jennifer Ryder via e-mail at Jennifer.Ryder@ed.gov.
For questions about the TPD Discharge process, contact the Disability Discharge Loan Servicing Center at 888/869-4169 (8:00 AM to 8:30 PM (ET), Monday through Friday). Hearing-impaired individuals with access to a TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) can call us at 888/636-6401. You may also fax information to 800/848-0984.