Veterans Day is a day to say thank you. It is also a good day to check whether your student loans are getting every benefit you earned.

Many veterans never check. The rules are spread across the VA, the Department of Education and your loan servicer, and nobody sends you a single list.

Here are three benefits worth a look. One could cancel your federal loans. One could cut your interest rate. One could put you on the path to forgiveness.

Can a VA disability rating cancel my federal student loans?

For some veterans, yes. The program is called Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge, and it cancels federal student loans.

StudentAid.gov says you are eligible if the VA decided that you have a service-connected disability that is 100% disabling, or that you are totally disabled based on an individual unemployability rating, known as TDIU.

A lower rating does not qualify on its own. An 80% or 90% rating does not meet the test unless you also have a TDIU determination.

A few things to know:

  • It covers federal loans only. Private student loans are not part of this program. Some private lenders have their own disability policies, so it is worth asking.
  • Some veterans are matched automatically. The VA shares data with the Department of Education, and some eligible veterans get a notice. If you never got one, you can still apply.
  • Applying starts at StudentAid.gov. Log in and open the TPD discharge application. Your VA benefit summary letter, which you can get from your VA.gov account, is the key document.
  • Taxes. Under 2026 federal rules, a TPD discharge is not treated as taxable income. State rules can differ, so check yours.

At least 323,000 borrowers of all kinds have received a TPD discharge, with an average of about $17,957 forgiven, according to Education Data. That number covers everyone who has used the program, not just veterans.

If you think you may qualify, book a free Clarity Call and we will help you figure out the next step.

Does my military service count toward PSLF?

It can. Active duty service can count as qualifying employment for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, because the federal government is your employer. Loan servicers like MOHELA say you can submit a Certification of Military Service as part of the process.

PSLF still has the same core rules:

  1. You need federal Direct Loans.
  2. You need to make 120 qualifying payments.
  3. Your payments need to be on a qualifying repayment plan.

That third rule matters more than ever. SAVE is over, and borrowers are being moved to new plans. Time in SAVE forbearance does not count toward forgiveness. If you were on SAVE, check your plan now.

Many veterans also move into government or nonprofit jobs after they leave the service. Those years can count too, as long as each employer is certified.

Not sure how many qualifying payments you have? Book a free Clarity Call and we will walk through your PSLF tracker with you.

What is the 6% interest rate cap for service members?

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) limits the interest rate on certain loans while you are on active duty.

Aidvantage explains that interest on student loans you received before your active duty service is limited to 6% during that service. It applies to federal and private loans. If your rate is already lower than 6%, it stays lower.

Two catches:

  • Only loans from before service. Loans you took out after you started active duty are not covered by the cap.
  • You usually have to ask. Servicers like MOHELA ask for a request form or a copy of your orders. Send it to each lender, federal and private.

What should I do first?

You do not have to do all of this in one day. Start here:

  1. Log in to StudentAid.gov. Check your loan types, your servicer and your repayment plan. Everything else depends on this.
  2. Look up your VA rating. If it is 100% or TDIU, start the TPD application.
  3. Check your loan dates. If you borrowed before you served, ask your servicer about the 6% cap.
  4. Check your plan and your PSLF count. Make sure your payments are on a plan that counts.

Veterans can also get free help from nonprofits like Veterans Education Success, which helps with student loan and school problems at no cost.

Get a second set of eyes

Student loan rules are confusing, and they keep changing. You earned these benefits. You should not have to decode them alone.

A free 5 to 10 minute call is a good place to start. We will look at your situation, tell you what we see, and help you decide what to do next.

Book your free Clarity Call.

Thank you to every veteran and service member out there.

About SavvyFi: SavvyFi is a user-friendly fintech platform that makes it easy for borrowers to get on the path to achieve PSLF and helps employers provide college savings and student loan benefits to their employees. Because the platform is "zero-touch" to HR, with no complicated systems, integrations or paperwork, SavvyFi unlocks education financing capabilities for even the smallest employers.

Disclosure: This article is for education only. SavvyFi coaches are not attorneys or financial advisors. Program rules can change, so confirm details with StudentAid.gov, the VA and your loan servicer.