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What is a Deferment?
Under certain conditions (and depending on the date of your loan) you can postpone, or defer, the payments of your
student loan, but you must qualify for, and in most cases request the deferment. It is best to request a deferment at
least 30 days before you want the deferment to start. You can renew a deferment, but no earlier than 60 days prior to
the termination date of the deferment. If you are a full-time student, however, you should renew your deferment as
soon as your registrar can certify your enrollment. You can apply for the same type of deferment more than once, but
the combined length cannot be longer than the deferment limit. To request a deferment,
contact your lender/servicer.
You may qualify for a deferment if you are:
- A full or half-time student at a school participating in the Stafford Loan Program. Maximum term: no limit.
- Unemployed or working less than 30 hours per week. You must be registered at an employment agency (if you live within 50 miles of one) and actively seeking full-time work. You must re-apply every six months for this deferment. Maximum length: 2 years for loans made prior to 7-1-93, or 3 years for loans made on or after 7-1-93.
- In Military service or Oceanic service. If you are on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, or serving
as an officer in the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service or the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. Maximum length:
3 years.
- In an internship or residency program required to begin professional practice or service, as required by a state licensing agency or for a degree. Baccalaureate degree required. Maximum term: 2 years.
- Rehabilitation Program is for a person receiving (or scheduled to receive within 3 months) rehabilitation training under an approved program. Maximum term: no limit.
- Temporarily totally disabled and unable to attend school (or work) during an extended period of time while recovering from injury or illness; or, while caring for a disabled spouse. Contact your lender for additional requirements. Maximum term: 3 years. You must re-apply every six months.
- In volunteer service, full-time, for at least one full year in a tax-exempt organization. Maximum term: 3 years.
- In the Peace Corps or ACTION service as a full-time volunteer. Maximum term: 3 years.
- A mother with pre-school children entering (or re-entering) the work force and are earning less than $1 per hour over minimum wage. Maximum term: 1 year
- Pregnant or caring for a newborn (or newly adopted) child. You must have attended school at least half-time during the last six months. Maximum term: 6 months per occurence.
- Teaching in an area identified as having a shortage of teachers. This determination is made by the Secretary of Education in consultation with the chief state school officer. Shortage areas may be either geographic areas or curricular areas. Maximum term: 3 years.
- Having economic hardship is determined by your lender and guided by federal regulations. Maximum term: 3 years.
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