Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act of 2017

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow for the deferment of certain student loans during a period in which a borrower is receiving treatment for cancer. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act of 2017 2. Student loan deferment for borrowers receiving cancer treatment (a) Direct Loans Section 455(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087e(f) (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) Deferment for borrowers receiving cancer treatment (A) Effect on principal and interest A borrower of a loan made under this part who meets the requirements of subparagraph (B) shall be eligible for a deferment, during which periodic installments of principal need not be paid, and interest shall not accrue. (B) Eligibility A borrower of a loan made under this part shall be eligible for a deferment during— (i) any period in which such borrower is receiving treatment for cancer; and (ii) the 6 months after such period. (C) Applicability This paragraph shall apply with respect to loans— (i) made on or after the date of the enactment of this paragraph; or (ii) in repayment on the date of the enactment of this paragraph. . (b) Terms of Federally Insured Student Loans Section 427(a)(2)(C) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1077(a)(2)(C) (1) in clause (ii), by striking ; or (2) in clause (iii), by inserting or (3) by inserting after clause (iii) the following: (iv) in which the borrower is receiving treatment for cancer and the 6 months after such period. . (c) FFEL program Section 428(b)(1)(M) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1078(b)(1)(M) (1) in clause (iii), by striking or (II); or or (II); (2) in clause (iv), by inserting or (3) by adding at the end the following: (v) during which the borrower is receiving treatment for cancer and the 6 months after such period; . (d) Federal Perkins loans Section 464(c)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087dd(c)(2) (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) in clause (iv), by striking ; or (B) in clause (v), by inserting or (C) by inserting after clause (v) the following: (vi) during which the borrower is receiving treatment for cancer and the 6 months after such period; . (e) Interest on unsubsubsidized Stafford Loans Section 428H(e)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1078–8(e)(2) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking Interest Except as provided in subparagraph (C), interest (2) by adding at the end the following: (C) Interest shall not accrue on a loan deferred under section 428(b)(1)(M)(v) or 427(a)(2)(C)(iv). . (f) Applicability The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to loans— (1) made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act; or (2) in repayment on the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act of 2017 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow borrowers to defer student loans while they are receiving cancer treatment and during the six months after treatment.