Hello all,
I’ve been reading about everyone’s experience with their TPD discharge over the last few weeks and have found the information very helpful. I would like to offer my own experience through this process to everyone as well. I was medically discharged from the Army last year. My original plan was to wait to apply for TPD until I could save enough to cover the tax bill (which would have taken me a really long time). Once I confirmed with my CPA that there wouldn’t be a tax liability starting this year, I submitted my application.
04/17/18: Completed Online Application with Nelnet. Uploaded my VA Benefit Summery letter showing my 100% P&T rating.
04/19/18: Received email from Nelnet acknowledging receipt of documents and stating they would be forwarded for review.
04/20/18: Official Assignment Date in the system.
04/23/18: The status was changed to “Application Under Review”
04/26/18: Received letter from Nelnet stating my application was under review and in forbearance while they were confirming initial eligibility. My loan information was listed on this letter as well.
04/26/18: Also received letter from DOE stating they had received my application for TPD discharge the same day. This letter stated ”…you may be eligible for discharge based on information provided by the VA”, and listed my disability date as the date I was medically retired.
05/08/18: The status was changed to “Pending Final Review”.
07/03/18: The status changed to “Permanent Discharge”.
07/09/18: Received a letter from Nelnet stating that DOE completed its review of my TPD application and approved my application effective 07/03/18.
I called three times after submitting my application, and each time I received the same scripted response of “about 120 days but cannot give an exact date”. I didn’t find contacting them helpful at all. Now the waiting begins to see when my credit report is updated...
Life has been quite challenging since being injured. I'm grateful that I'm able to apply earlier than expected and without the tax burden...