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  • Writer's pictureMichael Hollins, Esq.

Are Student Loans Dischargeable When You File for Bankruptcy?

You’ve probable heard that bankruptcy brings great relief to those who are deeply in debt and can no longer meet their financial responsibilities.

It is also commonly said that when one goes bankruptcy debts are discharged.


However, not all debts are dischargeable and in certain cases, bankruptcy actually stands far away from being a solution to debt problems.



Student debt and “undue hardship”

If you are buried deep in debt but your debt is mainly student debt you may want to reconsider bankruptcy since almost all student loans are non-dischargeable. The law is clear when it comes to student loan debt: Unless repayment causes the debtor undue hardship, courts won’t allow discharge of student debt.


The above is applicable to Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy too. So in order to be able to get discharged from student debt you’ll need to meet the “undue hardship” requirement.


This concept implies an excessive poorness caused by the debt that would affect the ability of the debtor of paying for basic needs. The main difficulty is to prove undue hardship.


A bit of history

Student Debt used to be more easily discharged in the past. However, due to abuse, Bankruptcy’s legal requirements were modified and now it is extremely difficult to get discharged.


The abuse consisted on filing for bankruptcy immediately after finishing college, thus getting discharged of their student debt prior to joining the workforce.

When this practice became common, lenders complained and got the administration to modify the rules that controlled bankruptcy.


Discharging Nowadays

Currently, the exception of hardship includes government loans and nonprofit organization loans. So it has become even more difficult to get student debt discharged. Besides, not only has the debt to disrupt the debtor ability to maintain an adequate minimal standard of living but the debtor must have tried by every possible way to repay the debt.


Co-signer Responsibility

Even if the debtor meets all this requirements, any co-signer who subscribed the loan with the debtor won’t be covered by the hardship exception and thus will be the sole responsible one for the debt repayment.


This is one of the lender’s main securities and explains why most of the student loan lenders require a co-signer in order to grant a loan.


Final considerations

Filling for bankruptcy or not is a decision that has to be intensively meditated and must be substantiated in the need of a fresh new start when there is no other choice.

If a bankruptcy won’t discharge your student debt, and if your student loans are the main constituent of your debt, then it makes no sense to suffer all the bad consequences associated with a bankruptcy without being able to enjoy the benefits.

However, if your income is too low, your debt won’t let you even breath and there is no other way of recovering from this situation, you may be able to convince a court that due to the excessive burden your debt has turned into, it should be discharged.

That way, you’ll be able to get a fresh start and become debt free.


Michael Hollins is a Nashville Bankruptcy Attorney that files chapter 7 and chapter 13 petitions on behalf of individual debtors. We are the best debt relief agency aimed at giving our clients the best debt relief possible. Call today for your free consultation,

844-233-2837 or 629-777-5505.





DISCLAIMER:

This information is designed to provide only a general overview of the subject matter herein.This information is provided with the understanding that neither the publisher nor author is engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss or damages, including but not limited to special, consequential, incidental or other damages, caused by the information contained herein.

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