This no doubt involves qualifying for the loan "forgiveness" that can be earned by teaching in a ghetto school (definition: few people would want to teach there without some incentive) for 10 years.  They definitely look at the joint income, if a joint return is filed, and only at the separate income, if a separate return is filed.  Well, OK, it's not just teachers, I recently heard about a low-income veterinarian for the Humane Society who qualifies.  

I suspect @Just-Lisa-Now-  is thinking about qualifying for a new loan, not paying off an old one.  And I'm not sure why @IRonMaN doesn't like his client.  Should she accept even less compensation for her low-paying job, just because someone died and left her cash?  Has he ever inherited money himself, and then reduced his fees because his clients were less fortunate?