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S. 3207Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act of 2018

Sponsored by Bill NelsonSen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Introduced July 12, 2018

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 10:50 PM UTC

The Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act of 2018 changes the Higher Education Act so that federal student loan borrowers who are undergoing cancer treatment can pause their loan payments. While in the deferment period—covering the time they receive treatment and the six months afterward—borrowers do not have to make principal payments and no interest will accrue. The rule applies to Direct Loans, federally insured loans, FFEL loans, and Perkins loans, whether the loans were taken out before or after the law takes effect.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a new deferment category for borrowers receiving cancer treatment, allowing them to stop paying principal and preventing interest from accruing during treatment and for six months afterward.
  • Specifies that eligibility includes any period of active cancer treatment plus a six‑month post‑treatment window.
  • Applies the new deferment to all covered federal student loans, both those originated after the law’s enactment and those already in repayment.
  • Amends multiple sections of the Higher Education Act (Direct Loans, federally insured loans, FFEL, Perkins, and unsubsidized Stafford loans) to include the cancer‑treatment deferment and to ensure interest does not accrue during that time.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

July 12, 2018

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

July 12, 2018

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

July 12, 2018

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued July 12, 2018

II

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3207

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 12, 2018

Mr. Nelson introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow for the deferment of certain student loans during a period in which a borrower is receiving treatment for cancer.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act of 2018.

2.

Student loan deferment for borrowers receiving cancer treatment

(a)

Direct Loans

Section 455(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(f)) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and

(2)

by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

(3)

Deferment for borrowers receiving cancer treatment

(A)

Effect on principal and interest

A borrower of a loan made under this part who meets the requirements of subparagraph (B) shall be eligible for a deferment, during which periodic installments of principal need not be paid, and interest shall not accrue.

(B)

Eligibility

A borrower of a loan made under this part shall be eligible for a deferment during—

(i)

any period in which such borrower is receiving treatment for cancer; and

(ii)

the 6 months after such period.

(C)

Applicability

This paragraph shall apply with respect to loans—

(i)

made on or after the date of the enactment of this paragraph; or

(ii)

in repayment on the date of the enactment of this paragraph.

.

(b)

Terms of federally insured student loans

Section 427(a)(2)(C) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1077(a)(2)(C)) is amended—

(1)

in clause (ii), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon;

(2)

in clause (iii), by inserting or after the semicolon; and

(3)

by inserting after clause (iii) the following:

(iv)

in which the borrower is receiving treatment for cancer and the 6 months after such period;

.

(c)

FFEL program

Section 428(b)(1)(M) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078(b)(1)(M)) is amended—

(1)

in clause (iii), by striking or (II); or and inserting a or (II);;

(2)

in clause (iv), by inserting or after the semicolon; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(v)

during which the borrower is receiving treatment for cancer and the 6 months after such period;

.

(d)

Federal Perkins loans

Section 464(c)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087dd(c)(2)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (A)—

(A)

in clause (iv), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon;

(B)

in clause (v), by inserting or after the semicolon; and

(C)

by inserting after clause (v) the following:

(vi)

during which the borrower is receiving treatment for cancer and the 6 months after such period;

.

(e)

Interest on unsubsidized Stafford loans

Section 428H(e)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078–8(e)(2)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (A), by striking Interest and inserting Except as provided in subparagraph (C), interest; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(C)

Interest shall not accrue on a loan deferred under section 428(b)(1)(M)(v) or 427(a)(2)(C)(iv).

.

(f)

Applicability

The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to loans—

(1)

made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act; or

(2)

in repayment on the date of the enactment of this Act.