studentaid.gov Open in urlscan Pro
2a02:26f0:e600:2b2::17d0  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

<form id="user-chat-input-submit" class="user-input-form">
  <div class="user-input-div" id="user_input_div" style="height: 74px;">
    <div class="info-button-div" id="info_button_div" style="height: 70px;">
      <div class="div-info"><button type="button" class="more-info" title="Open more info page" id="fsa_Link_OpenInfo" style="height: 70px;"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 22 22">
            <g id="info">
              <path
                d="M22,10.91a11,11,0,1,1-11-11A11,11,0,0,1,22,10.91Zm-2.13,0A8.87,8.87,0,1,0,11,19.78,8.86,8.86,0,0,0,19.87,10.91ZM13,16.58H9.05a.52.52,0,0,1-.53-.53V15a.52.52,0,0,1,.53-.53h.53V11.62H9.05a.53.53,0,0,1-.53-.54V10a.53.53,0,0,1,.53-.53h2.84a.53.53,0,0,1,.53.53v4.44H13a.52.52,0,0,1,.53.53v1.06A.52.52,0,0,1,13,16.58Zm-.09-9.93A1.86,1.86,0,1,1,11,4.79,1.86,1.86,0,0,1,12.86,6.65Z">
              </path>
            </g>
          </svg></button></div>
    </div>
    <div class="user-input-inner-div" id="user_input_inner_div" style="height: 70px;"><span class="placeholder" id="fsa_InputText"></span>
      <div><auto-complete-input class="hydrated">
          <div class="autoCompleteContainer" id="autoCompleteContainer" aria-label="Autocomplete options are present.">
            <ul class="autoComplete-ul" aria-label="Combo box auto complete elements" id="suggested-reponses" role="listbox" hidden=""></ul>
            <div><textarea aria-label="User chat input, 140 character limit" id="fsa_Input_UserChatInput" placeholder="Type a Message" rows="1" class="user-input" maxlength="140" aria-activedescendant="" role="combobox" aria-expanded="true"
                style="overflow-y: hidden; height: 32px;"></textarea><label class="counter">0/140</label></div>
          </div>
        </auto-complete-input></div><button id="fsa_Button_audioRecord" type="button" class="btnRecordAudio"><svg class="defaultSvg" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 28 28">
          <g>
            <circle cx="14" cy="14" r="14" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" fill="#eff0f1"></circle>
            <path
              d="M19.1 11c.2 0 .3.1.4.2s.2.2.2.4v1.7c0 1-.2 2-.7 2.9s-1.1 1.6-1.9 2.2-1.7.9-2.7 1.1v1.2h2c.2 0 .3.1.4.2s.2.2.2.4v.6c0 .2-.1.3-.2.4s-.2.2-.4.2h-5.6c-.2 0-.3-.1-.4-.2s-.2-.2-.2-.4v-.6c0-.2.1-.3.2-.4s.2-.2.4-.2h2v-1.2c-1-.1-1.9-.5-2.7-1.1S8.5 16.9 8 15.9 7.3 14 7.3 13v-1.4c0-.2.1-.3.2-.4s.2-.2.4-.2h.6c.2 0 .3.1.4.2s.2.2.2.4V13c0 .8.2 1.5.5 2.2s.8 1.3 1.5 1.7 1.3.7 2.1.8c.9.1 1.7-.1 2.5-.4.8-.3 1.4-.9 1.8-1.7s.7-1.5.7-2.4v-1.7c0-.2.1-.3.2-.4s.2-.2.4-.2h.3v.1zm-5.6 5.6c-.9 0-1.7-.3-2.4-1s-1-1.5-1-2.4V7.6c0-.9.3-1.7 1-2.4s1.5-1 2.4-1 1.7.3 2.4 1 1 1.5 1 2.4v5.6c0 .9-.3 1.7-1 2.4s-1.5 1-2.4 1z"
              fill="#227aa7"></path>
          </g>
        </svg></button>
    </div>
    <div class="divRecordingAudio hide">
      <div class="divAudioBars"><svg viewBox="0 0 30 17" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
          <path d="M0.5,15 L0.5,0" id="Line-3" stroke="#355065" stroke-width="3"></path>
          <path d="M7.5,12 L7.5,4" id="Line-3" stroke="#227AA7" stroke-width="2"></path>
          <path d="M20.5,12 L20.5,4" id="Line-3" stroke="#227AA7" stroke-width="2"></path>
          <path d="M14.5,15 L14.5,0" id="Line-3" stroke="#355065" stroke-width="2"></path>
          <path d="M27.5,15 L27.5,0" id="Line-3" stroke="#355065" stroke-width="2"></path>
        </svg></div>
    </div><button id="fsa_Button_ChatSubmit" class="btnSend" style="height: 70px;">
      <div><img class="btn-send-icon" role="none" src="https://studentaid.gov/virtual-assistant-ui/assets/icon/send_icon.svg"><span class="btnSend-label">SEND</span></div>
    </button>
  </div>
</form>

POST

<form id="fileUploadForm" enctype="multipart/form-data" method="post" target="fileUploadIframe"><input type="file" id="fileSelector" name="file" style="display: none;"><input name="filename" type="hidden"></form>

Text Content

Loading...
HomeManage LoansLower or Suspend Student Loan PaymentsGet Temporary Relief:
Deferment and ForbearanceStudent Loan Deferment


STUDENT LOAN DEFERMENT

ON THIS PAGE

Consider an IDR Plan First
Delayed Progress Toward Forgiveness
Interest Might Accrue During Deferment
How to Apply for a Deferment
Types of Deferments
Loan Types Eligible for Deferment
ON THIS PAGE


Consider an IDR Plan First
Delayed Progress Toward Forgiveness
Interest Might Accrue During Deferment
How to Apply for a Deferment
Types of Deferments
Loan Types Eligible for Deferment

With deferment, you won’t have to make a payment. However, you probably won’t be
making any progress toward forgiveness or paying back your loan. As an
alternative, consider income-driven repayment.


CONSIDER AN IDR PLAN FIRST

Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans base your monthly payments on your income
and family size. In some cases, your payment could be as low as $0 per month.


DELAYED PROGRESS TOWARD FORGIVENESS

If you’re seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or income-driven
repayment forgiveness, in most cases deferment will not allow you to make
progress toward forgiveness.


INTEREST MIGHT ACCRUE DURING DEFERMENT

If you’re granted a deferment, you might still be responsible for paying the
interest that accrues during the deferment period. The table below shows when
you are responsible for paying the interest and when you are not responsible
based on loan type.

NOT Responsible for Interest That Accrues
Generally Responsible for Interest That Accrues
Direct Subsidized Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
Federal Perkins Loans
Direct PLUS Loans
The subsidized portion of Direct Consolidation Loans
Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) PLUS Loans
The subsidized portion of FFEL Consolidation Loans
The unsubsidized portion of Direct Consolidation Loans

The unsubsidized portion of FFEL Consolidation Loans

If you’re responsible for paying the interest on your loans during a deferment,
you can either

 1. pay the interest as it accrues or

 2. allow it to accrue and be capitalized (added to your loan principal balance)
    at the end of the deferment period.

    

If you do option B, the total amount you repay over the life of your loan may be
higher.

Unpaid interest is capitalized at the end of a deferment only on Direct Loans
and FFEL Program loans. Unpaid interest is never capitalized on Federal Perkins
Loans.


HOW TO APPLY FOR A DEFERMENT

Most deferments are not automatic. To apply for a deferment, you must

 1. identify which type of deferment you’re requesting;

 2. fill out the form for that deferment type;

 3. gather any documents needed to show that you meet the eligibility
    requirements for that deferment type; and

 4. send the filled-out form and documents to your federal student loan
    servicer.

    

Find links to the forms under the deferment types listed below.


AUTOMATIC IN-SCHOOL DEFERMENT

If you’re enrolled in an eligible college or career school at least half-time,
in most cases your loan will be placed into a deferment automatically.

If you enroll at least half-time but do not automatically receive a deferment,
you should contact the school where you are enrolled. Your school will then
report information about your enrollment status so that your loan can be placed
into deferment.


TYPES OF DEFERMENTS

There are a variety of circumstances that may qualify you for a deferment on
your federal student loan. Each type of deferment has specific eligibility
requirements and forms.

Cancer Treatment Deferment

You may qualify for this deferment while you are undergoing cancer treatment and
for the six-month period after your treatment ends.

Complete the Cancer Treatment Deferment Request.

Economic Hardship Deferment

You may qualify for this deferment if you either

 * are receiving a means-tested benefit, like welfare (e.g., Temporary
   Assistance for Needy Families (TANF));
 * work full-time but have a monthly income that isn’t more than the minimum
   wage rate or 150% of the poverty guideline for your family size and state of
   residence (whichever is greater); or
 * are serving in the Peace Corps.

You can only receive this deferment for up to three years.

Complete the Economic Hardship Deferment Request.



Graduate Fellowship Deferment

You may qualify for this deferment if you are enrolled in an approved graduate
fellowship program. A graduate fellowship program is generally a program that
provides financial support to graduate students to pursue graduate studies and
research. Most graduate fellowship programs are for doctoral students, but some
are available to master’s degree students.

Complete the Graduate Fellowship Deferment Request.

In-School Deferment

You are eligible for this deferment if you’re enrolled at least half-time at an
eligible college or career school. If you’re a graduate or professional student
who received a Direct PLUS Loan, you qualify for an additional six months of
deferment after you cease to be enrolled at least half-time.

If you are enrolled in an eligible college or career school at least half-time,
in most cases your loan will be placed into a deferment automatically based on
enrollment information reported by your school, and your loan servicer will
notify you that the deferment has been granted. If you enroll at least half-time
but do not automatically receive a deferment, you should contact the school
where you are enrolled. Your school will then report information about your
enrollment status so that your loan can be placed into deferment.

Complete the In-School Deferment Request.

Note: In-school deferment is generally automatic, so in most cases it isn’t
necessary to complete the In-School Deferment Request. However, if you’re
enrolled at least half-time but do not automatically receive a deferment, you
can either ask your school to report your enrollment information, as explained
above, or complete the In-School Deferment Request.

Military Service and Post-Active Duty Student Deferment

You may be eligible for this deferment if

 * you are on active duty military service in connection with a war, military
   operation, or national emergency; or
 * you’ve completed qualifying active duty service and any applicable grace
   period. This deferment ends when you resume enrollment in an eligible college
   or career school on at least a half-time basis or 13 months following the
   completion date of active duty service and any applicable grace period,
   whichever is earlier.

Complete the Military Service and Post-Active Duty Student Deferment Request.



Parent PLUS Borrower Deferment

You may qualify for this deferment if you’re a parent who received a Direct PLUS
Loan to help pay for your child’s education, and the student you took the loan
out for is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible college or career school.
You can also receive a deferment for an additional six months after the student
ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

Complete the Parent PLUS Borrower Deferment Request.

Note: As an alternative to completing the Parent PLUS Borrower Deferment
Request, if the school your child is attending requires you to complete a Direct
PLUS Loan Request, you can request this deferment when you submit the Direct
PLUS Loan Request. Check with your child’s school.

Rehabilitation Training Deferment

You may qualify for this deferment if you’re enrolled in an approved
rehabilitation training program that is designed to provide vocational, drug
abuse, mental health, or alcohol abuse rehabilitation treatment.

Complete the Rehabilitation Training Deferment Request.

Unemployment Deferment

You may be eligible for this deferment if you receive unemployment benefits or
you are seeking and unable to find full-time employment. You can receive this
deferment for up to three years.

Complete the Unemployment Deferment Request.



If you received federal student loans before July 1, 1993, you might be eligible
for additional deferments. For more information about these deferments, contact
your loan servicer.


LOAN TYPES ELIGIBLE FOR DEFERMENT

All the deferments are available to Direct Loan, FFEL Program loan, and Perkins
Loan borrowers.

If you received a Perkins Loan, you may also be eligible for a deferment while
you are working toward cancellation on your Perkins Loan. Get contact
information regarding your Perkins Loan.

In most cases, Perkins Loan recipients who receive a deferment will receive a
six-month post-deferment grace period that begins on the date they no longer
meet the deferment eligibility requirements. No payments are required during the
post-deferment grace period.

You must continue making payments on your student loan(s) until you have been
notified that your request for deferment has been granted. If you stop paying
and your deferment is not approved, your loan(s) will become delinquent, and you
may go into default.




ADDITIONAL LINKS

Who’s My Student Loan Servicer?
Income-Driven Repayment Plans
Student Loan Forbearance
Student Loan Delinquency and Default


Close
Are You Still There?
Your session will time out in:
0 undefined 0 undefined
End My Session
I'm Still Here!
Hi
there
! I'm Aidan®, the financial aid virtual assistant. How can I help you today?

Ask Aidan
®
BETA

February 16th
0/140

SEND
Ask Aidan
®
BETA

I'm your personal financial aid virtual assistant. Here are some ways that I can
help.
Answer Your Financial Aid Questions
How much money can I borrow in federal student loans?
What will I need to fill out the FAFSA® form?
Ask my own question

Find Student Aid Information
Fill out the FAFSA form
Go to the Student Loan Repayment page
Help me find a page on the site

My Account
What's my account balance?
What's my student loan account number?
See a summary of my federal loans and grants

Make A Payment
Make a monthly payment on my loan

Log-In Info
How do I update my username and password (FSA ID)?

Contact Us
Find the contact center that can help me
Whom do I contact to pay my loan?
Contact my loan servicer
Ask Aidan
®
BETA
Back to Chat


Ask Aidan
®
BETA
Help us improve this response
Confusing
Answer wasn't helpful
Unrelated answer
Too long
Other
Tell us more
optional

0/500
Submit
Ask Aidan
®
BETA
Live Chat
Please answer a few questions
First Name

Please provide your first name.

Last Name

Please provide your last name.

Email

Please provide your email address.

Connect to live chat
Do you need help?
Close Chatbox



Live chat:Chat with an Expert