H.R. 2270House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

PLUS Loan Disability Forgiveness Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 3:04 PM UTC

The PLUS Loan Disability Forgiveness Act changes the federal student aid rules so that a parent’s federal PLUS loan can be forgiven when the student for whom the loan was taken becomes permanently disabled. The bill adds disability as a condition, alongside death, that triggers the Secretary of Education to discharge the loan balance. It applies to parents of students who are totally disabled or who cannot work because of a serious, long‑lasting medical condition.

Key Provisions

Adds a new “Disability” category to the situations that allow the Secretary to discharge a parent’s PLUS loan.
Discharge occurs if the student is permanently and totally disabled, or cannot engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable impairment expected to result in death or lasting at least 60 months.
Uses the same disability‑determination process and anti‑fraud safeguards already required for death‑related discharges.
Allows the Secretary to create regulations that could reinstate and collect on a discharged loan if fraud or abuse is found.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

May 1, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 1, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2990)

May 1, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

May 1, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 1, 2017

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2270

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 1, 2017

Mr. Langevin (for himself, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, and Mr. Roskam) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

A BILL

To amend section 437(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for repayment by the Secretary of loans to parents of disabled students.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the PLUS Loan Disability Forgiveness Act.

Repayment of parent loans due to student disability

Section 437(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087(d)) is amended—

(1)

by striking If a student and inserting the following:

(1)

Death

If a student

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(2)

Disability

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall discharge a parent's liability on a loan described in section 428B by repaying the amount owed on the loan if the student on whose behalf the parent has received the loan—

(i)

becomes permanently and totally disabled (as determined in accordance with regulations of the Secretary); or

(ii)

is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death, has lasted for a continuous period of not less than 60 months, or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 60 months.

(B)

Disability determinations

Subsection (a)(2) shall apply to a disability determination under this paragraph in the same manner as such subsection applies to a determination under subsection (a)(1).

(C)

Safeguards

The safeguards to prevent fraud and abuse developed under subsection (a)(1) shall apply under this paragraph.

(D)

Reinstatement of loans

The Secretary may promulgate regulations to reinstate the obligation of, and resume collection on, loans discharged under this paragraph in cases in which the Secretary determines that the reinstatement and resumption is necessary and appropriate based upon the regulations developed under subsection (a)(1).