Total and permanent disability is the inability to engage in "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.
As of July 1, 2010, "substantial gainful activity" is amended to be be a level of work performed for pay or profit that involves doing significant physical or mental activities, or both.
In order to apply for Total and Permanent Disability, the Department of Education Discharge Application form must be completed in it's entirety by the disabled borrower and the disabled borrowers attending physician and returned to the Student Loan Office at the address listed below within 90 days of the attending physician signing and dating the application. Once received by the Student Loan office, the application will be reviewed and if everything is in order, the application will be forwarded to the Department of Education Disability Unit for final review. If the loan is accepted by the Department of Education Disability Unit, it will become the property of the Department of Education. At this point, the University will be out of the loop and all future correspondence will be handled between the borrower and the Department of Education. If the loan is not accepted by the Department of Education Disability Unit, the borrower will be contacted by the University in an effort to resolve the reason for the denial. Remember, the completed total and permanent disability application must be returned to the University. Do not send it directly to the government.