The student should file the 1099-C because the student is the
debtor. The co-signing parent is a guarantor not a debtor according to the IRS
(https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/26/1.6050P-1)
The
co-signing parent should not receive a 1099-C and you should contact
the creditor and ask for a corrected 1099-C if you the co-signing parent receive a 1099-C. If the creditor refuses to
correct the 1099-C issued to the co-signing parent, the co-signer will
need to attach a note to their tax return with an explanation.
