> The mechanism by which you default on a loan is bankruptcy. If you can't discharge a loan in bankruptcy, you can't default on it.

I think you may be confusing the terms 'default' and 'discharge', and have the ordering wrong.

You may be in default, which may lead to bankruptcy, which may lead to the debt being discharged.

Discharging the debt does not lead to defaulting on it.

This helpful Wikipedia paragraph should clear things up for you:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Default_(finance)#Distinction_...

Note that 'default' is simply 'a debtor has passed the payment deadline on a debt they were due to pay'. 'Bankrupt' is 'a legal finding that imposes court supervision over the financial affairs of those who are insolvent or in default'.

See how 'bankrupt' is done to someone who is already either insolvent or in 'default'?