Richard Levine | Corbis News | Getty ImagesFor decades, it was nearly impossible for student loan borrowers to walk away from their debt in bankruptcy court.
Congress has set a high bar for discharging student loan debt in bankruptcy.
Under the new process, student loan borrowers complete a form to assist the government in evaluating their discharge request.
"It makes it easier for student loan borrowers to qualify for bankruptcy discharge by clearly setting out the policy," said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.
Federal student loan borrowers have several ways to reduce their debt burden, including payment plans with $0 monthly payments and economic hardship and unemployment deferments.
Persons:
Richard Levine, That's, Biden, —, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz
Organizations:
United State Bankruptcy Court Southern District of NY, Corbis, U.S . Department of Justice, U.S . Department of Education, American Bar Association, Consumer, Federal