There are several tax breaks for college tuition payments: an above-the-line deduction (this break expired at the end of 2013 but likely will be extended for 2014), education tax credits, an exclusion for interest on U.S. savings bonds that you redeem, and penalty-free withdrawals from IRAs. At tax time, review all of the available options (there are different income limits and other rules to consider) before making a choice of which break to use.
When debts are cancelled in bankruptcy cases, the cancelled amount is excluded from gross income. Tax attributes are certain losses, credits, and property basis that must be reduced to the extent of the exclusion.