Student Loans

[rsudock]

Has any one had experience trying to get your student loans stopped without them adding interest to them while being on dialysis? Or feel free to share how you delt with trying to pay student loans without having money? Did you ever get them discharge b/c of being disabled on dialysis? Looking for all experiences and any info before I call them to see what I can do?

thanks,
R

[jbeany]

One of my profs tried to convince me to go on to law school.  I told her about my transplant, and that I needed a job with insurance ASAP, so it wasn't going to be an option.  Plus, I said I was reluctant to end up with student loans  fro law school when there was always the chance that my transplant could fail before I even managed to start paying them off, and I didn't want to risk being in debt while on disability ever again.  (I'm using what's left of my inherited nest egg to pay for my paralegal certificate, so I haven't needed any loans for the years worth of certification classes.  I paid off all my debt with the first part.)

Prof insisted that if you have a medical reason for not working, they actually forgive the loans entirely, not just stop them without interest.  I don't have any idea if that's right or not, but it's worth looking into. 

[Beth35]

I am in the process of getting my student loans discharged.  The forms say that you plan on being disabled for more than five years, than you are eligable to have your loans discharged.  So I had my docs fill out the forms.  I will let you know what happens!

[lawphi]

We applied in January for a medical discharge that prevented Ham from working.  The application process is three years and we will have to supplement medical and financial information from time to time.

Hammett went ahead and applied due to interest being suspended during the process.  He is getting to the point that returning to work may be possible. 

Jbeany:  I was in law school when Ham's transplant failed. Depending on where you live, I would only consider a public law school. 

I have a lawyer buddy that had NxStage hooked up in his office and his paralegals trained to assist him.  After practicing law for three years, I can see no reason dialysis alone would keep you from practicing. 

With Hammett, I have set up mobile law offices from different hospitals and billed during NxStage training. 

[jbeany]

 

Jbeany:  I was in law school when Ham's transplant failed. Depending on where you live, I would only consider a public law school. 

I have a lawyer buddy that had NxStage hooked up in his office and his paralegals trained to assist him.  After practicing law for three years, I can see no reason dialysis alone would keep you from practicing. 

Why public?

It wasn't about practicing while on D, although my last round left me unable to work, so not sure I could manage it the next either.  It was about needing to go part time while working full time to keep up insurance to pay for transplant meds.  I would need far more than the traditional 4 years to get through, so there's an even greater chance that I would end up with a nice stack of debt and still no law degree.

Well, that plus the fact that I really want a nice calm normal life for a while.  One where I get to go home on the weekend and relax, not bury my nose in a legal brief and study!

[Lillupie]

Well,
 It depends on your doctor. I have a mean doctor who pretty much refuses to fill that out and says that I can work. Um I may be on PD but its not like Im not on dialysis. I think my nurse is trying to get him to fill out the form to get rid of my loans because its been almost 4 years since I started dialysis and it doesnt look like I am getting off anytime soon.

Hope this helps,
Lisa

[lawphi]

I say public due to loan debt.  It honestly depends on your state and different options.  Law school sucks almost as much as dialysis. 

[HouseOfDialysis]

I only have about $3,000 left on my student loans. They should be paid off in the next three years. My wife, however, is sitting on $80K worth of loans for her Masters + 30hours.

[rsudock]

Just an update: I requested a medical deferment/economical hardship deferement for my govt student loans. I sent in a letter discussing my situation, copy of transplant letter, food stamp card, medicaid card, and a paycheck stub from my part time job.

The student loan people granted my deferement and gave me a year off on paying my loans!!! Phew! That helps...guess I will be able to pay rent this month after all!

xo,
R

[Chris]

Never thought about doing this with mine, but with mine I went through my bank to get a student loan. I haven't done the math on how long I have left to pay, I never pay the same amount each month, but pay more than the minimal amount (which you have to if paying online through account )

[Beth35]

Update:  Got a letter from the loan department.  They have considered my loans dismissed altogether.  If I am disabled for three years it will be final.  If I go back to work before then, I will have to start paying again at that point.  Great news for me.

[rsudock]

Beth are your loans direct federal loans? Do you have the link of the paperwork you filled out to get your loans dismissed? If you paid anything at all on your loans how many years did you pay on them? Sorry for all the questions just wondering...

thanks!
xo,
R

[lawphi]

RSU:  Hammett's loans are in the same federal program.  The best part is that the loans are not subject to interest during the three year period.