According to the website www.studentaid.ed.gov, student loans can be forgiven or discharged if (among other conditions) you....

• Die or become totally and permanently disabled, or
• You work in certain designated public school service professions (including teaching in a low-income school.

The definition for totally and permanently disabled is as follows:
The inability to work and earn money because of an injury or illness that is expected to continue indefinitely or to result in death. In order to have a student loan discharged under this definition, you must submit a physician's certification of total and permanent disability.

As of July 1, 2002,  if you are determined to be totally and permanently disabled, you will have your loan placed in a conditional discharge period for three years from the date you became totally and permanently disabled. During this period, you don't have to pay principal or interest.  If you continue to meet the total-and-permanent disability requirements during and at the end of the three year conditional period, your loan will be canceled.

There are different ways to apply for a student loan to be discharged if you qualify:

• Federal Perkins Loan borrowers must apply to the school that made the loan or to the loan servicer the school has designated.
• Direct Stafford and PLUS Loan borrowers must contact the Direct Loan Service center (www.dlssonline.com). You can also call the Servicing Center at 1-800-848-0979.
• FFEL Stafford and PLUS Loan borrowers should contact the lender or agency holding the loan. You can also find a number of discharge forms online at www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DCS/forms.