[JoeAltmaier]

I guess that means 60% are unsuccessful. My friend who was jailed for 5 years could not even get a deferment. He had large fines added to his loan for missing payments. In prison he could only earn some trivial amount (cents on the dollar) for working, so it was impossible to keep up with the loans.

[ci5er]

The decision about whether one can discharge or not discharge in bankruptcy is determined by the court. The decision about whether one can defer or not defer is determined by the loan administrator.

I'm guessing that upon release, your friend would be (have been) an outstanding candidate for being able to discharge the loans (and penalties and interest) through a bankruptcy proceeding.