Notifying the FSA when someone dies
Family member is responsible for notifying the FSA
OverviewWhen someone dies
Federal Student Aid Information Center
Phone1-800-433-3243
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET; Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET; Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET; closed Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays
Loan Servicer (Death Discharge)
Phone1-800-433-3243
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET; Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET; Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET; closed Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays
Federal Student Aid Information Center
Phone1-800-433-3243
Timeline
Collection suspended immediately upon notification. For FFEL Loans, the lender must suspend collection within 60 days and has an additional 60 days to obtain documentation (34 CFR 682.402(b)). Direct Loan processing time varies by servicer.
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET; Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET; Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET; closed Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays
Verified Jul 2026
When someone dies, the Federal Student Aid (FSA) must be notified. The family member is responsible for notifying the FSA.
Notification deadline: As soon as possible; collection activity is suspended upon notification.
Steps to take
Steps for notifying the FSA and applying for survivor benefits:
1
Identify the type of federal student loan and contact the appropriate party:
- •Direct Loans: contact the assigned loan servicer (find at studentaid.gov)
- •FFEL Loans: contact the lender or guaranty agency holding the loan
- •Perkins Loans: contact the school that made the loan
2
Notify the loan servicer of the borrower's death. Collection activity is suspended immediately upon notice.
3
Submit documentation of the death:
- •Original or certified copy of the death certificate
- •An accurate and complete photocopy or scanned copy of a certified death certificate is also accepted (34 CFR 685.212(a), 34 CFR 682.402(b))
- •For Direct Loans only, if a death certificate is unavailable: verification from a county clerk, letter from clergy or funeral director on official letterhead, or other reliable documentation acceptable to the Secretary
- •The servicer may also verify the death through an authorized federal or state electronic database
- •Submit by fax (e.g., MOHELA: 866-222-7060), online upload through the servicer's portal, or by mail
4
The loan servicer processes the discharge and cancels the remaining balance. Any payments received after the date of death are returned to the estate.
5
For Parent PLUS Loans where the student died, submit the student's death certificate to the parent's loan servicer to discharge the parent's loan obligation.
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate (original, photocopy, or scan accepted)
- Borrower's name and loan account information
- Loan servicer contact information (available at studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers)
- For Direct Loans only, if death certificate unavailable: alternative documentation including decedent's name and date of birth (e.g., county clerk verification, funeral director letter)
- For Parent PLUS discharge due to student death: student's death certificate
Timeline
Collection suspended immediately upon notification. For FFEL Loans, the lender must suspend collection within 60 days and has an additional 60 days to obtain documentation (34 CFR 682.402(b)). Direct Loan processing time varies by servicer.
Survivor benefits
Federal Student Loan Death Discharge
The full remaining balance of a federal student loan (principal plus accrued interest) is discharged when the borrower dies. This applies to Direct Loans, FFEL Loans, and Perkins Loans. Any payments received after the date of death are returned to the estate. The discharged amount is excluded from federal taxable income under IRC 108(f)(5), though it may be considered income for state tax purposes.
Eligibility: Estate or family of a deceased federal student loan borrower
Amount: Full remaining loan balance discharged
How to apply: Contact the loan servicer and submit a certified copy of the death certificate
Learn more →Parent PLUS Loan Discharge (Student Death)
When the student on whose behalf a Parent PLUS Loan was taken dies, the parent borrower's loan obligation is discharged in full. For consolidated loans that repaid a PLUS Loan, only the portion attributable to the PLUS Loan is discharged.
Eligibility: Parent borrower of a PLUS Loan taken on behalf of a deceased student
Amount: Full remaining PLUS Loan balance discharged (or PLUS portion of consolidated loan)
How to apply: Contact the loan servicer and submit a certified copy of the student's death certificate
Learn more →Parent PLUS Loan Discharge (Parent Death)
When the parent borrower of a PLUS Loan dies, the loan obligation is discharged. The student is not responsible for the remaining balance. For FFEL PLUS Loans where two parents co-borrowed, the surviving parent remains obligated unless they independently qualify for discharge.
Eligibility: Estate of a deceased Parent PLUS Loan borrower
Amount: Full remaining loan balance discharged
How to apply: Contact the loan servicer and submit a certified copy of the parent's death certificate
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Yes. Federal student loans are discharged in full when the borrower dies. The remaining balance, including accrued interest, is canceled. This applies to Direct Loans, FFEL Loans, and Perkins Loans. A certified copy of the death certificate must be submitted to the loan servicer.
The amount discharged due to a borrower's death is excluded from federal gross income under IRC 108(f)(5), as amended by Pub. L. 119-21 (2025). For discharges after December 31, 2025, the borrower's SSN must appear on the tax return. This exclusion applies to both federal and private education loans. However, the discharged amount may be considered income for state tax purposes. Consult the state tax office or a tax professional before filing the borrower's state tax return.
If the student on whose behalf a Parent PLUS Loan was taken dies, the parent's loan obligation is discharged in full. The parent should contact their loan servicer and submit a certified copy of the student's death certificate. For consolidated loans, only the PLUS Loan portion is discharged.
When the parent borrower of a PLUS Loan dies, the loan is discharged. The student is not responsible for the remaining balance. For FFEL PLUS Loans where two parents co-borrowed, the surviving parent remains obligated unless they also qualify for discharge.
Log in to studentaid.gov with the borrower's FSA ID to view loan details and servicer information. If you cannot access the account, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 for assistance.
No. A certified copy, accurate photocopy, or scanned copy of a certified death certificate is accepted. The loan servicer may also verify the death through an authorized federal or state electronic database.
Private student loan discharge policies vary by lender. Federal law does not require private lenders to discharge loans upon death, though many do. Contact the private lender directly. The tax exclusion under IRC 108(f)(5) does apply to private education loan discharges due to death.
Perkins Loans are serviced by the school that made the loan, not a federal loan servicer. Contact the school's financial aid or business office to report the death and submit the death certificate. The Perkins Loan program ended in 2017, but existing loans are still eligible for death discharge.
Yes. Most federal loan servicers accept death certificates by fax, through the borrower's online account portal, or by mail. For example, MOHELA accepts fax submissions at 866-222-7060 or uploads through the borrower's account. Contact the specific loan servicer for their accepted submission methods.
After completing the notification process, eligible survivors can apply for 3 benefits through the FSA. Each benefit has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
Keep copies of all documents submitted to the FSA. Original documents submitted for verification are typically returned after processing.
Federal Student Aid Information Center
Phone1-800-433-3243
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET; Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET; Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET; closed Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays
Loan Servicer (Death Discharge)
Phone1-800-433-3243
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET; Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET; Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET; closed Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays
Federal Student Aid Information Center
Phone1-800-433-3243
Timeline
Collection suspended immediately upon notification. For FFEL Loans, the lender must suspend collection within 60 days and has an additional 60 days to obtain documentation (34 CFR 682.402(b)). Direct Loan processing time varies by servicer.
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET; Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET; Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET; closed Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays
Verified Jul 2026