Millions of Americans Are Ignoring Their Student Loan Bills

1. 1976 – Congress first restricted bankruptcy discharge for federal student loans.
2. • Loans couldn’t be discharged during the first 5 years of repayment unless the borrower could prove “undue hardship.”
   • Passed during President Gerald Ford’s term (Republican).
3. 1990 – The waiting period was extended from 5 years to 7 years.
4. • Signed by President George H. W. Bush (Republican).
5. 1998 – The 7-year rule was removed entirely for federal loans, meaning they could only be discharged under “undue hardship” no matter how old the loan was.
6. • Signed by President Bill Clinton (Democrat).
7. 2005 – Private student loans were also made non-dischargeable in most cases (same “undue hardship” rule).
8. • Part of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, signed by President George W. Bush (Republican).

Sounds like “all of them”