Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Information

Perkins Loans

  • A Perkins Loan borrower who believes they should be eligible for cancellation due to a disability should complete aTotal and Permanent Disability (TPD)Discharge Applicationthrough the FederalStudent 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 University of Maryland, Baltimore 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.

Nursing and Health Professions Loans

  • Nursing and Health Professions Loan holders requesting cancellation for Total and Permanent Disability must submita formalrequest to the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
  • 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 treatmentand 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 University of Maryland, Baltimore will forward the information to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  • The Secretary or designee will formally notify the University of Maryland, Baltimore of the decision.
  • If rejected the borrower retains responsibility for the loan repayment.
  • If approved the University of Maryland, Baltimorewill take appropriate action to cancel the loan balance.

Other Loans

  • Other loans serviced by the University of Maryland, Baltimoremay also have Total and Permanent Disability Cancellation provisions.
  • Review your promissory note and/or contact the University of Maryland, Baltimore regarding these provisions.