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Deferments

Loans disbursed beginning July 1, 1993

Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized, Federal Stafford (subsidized or unsubsidized), Direct PLUS, Federal PLUS, SLS (Supplemental Loan for Students), Direct Consolidation, and Federal Consolidation Loans

Deferment Type Form Time Limit Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized / Federal Stafford Direct PLUS / Federal PLUS for Graduate Students SLS Direct PLUS / Federal PLUS for Parents Direct Consolidation / Federal Consolidation
Post-Active Duty Post-Active Duty
A deferment for borrowers returning from active duty who were enrolled at least half time in an eligible institution prior to being called or ordered to active duty (doesn’t require activation during a war, military operation, or national emergency). The active duty deferment runs concurrently with the 180-day deferment period following the demobilization date allowed under the military deferment. 		MIL 13 months X X X X X
Economic Hardship Economic Hardship Deferment
A deferment for borrowers who earn less than minimum wage or exceed a federally defined debt-to-income ratio. A borrower also may be eligible if he or she is receiving state or federal aid. 		HRD 36 months X X X X X
Graduate Fellowship Graduate Fellowship Deferment
A deferment for borrowers engaged in a full­time course of study in a Graduate Fellowship program. The borrower must already hold at least a bachelor´s degree. The Graduate Fellowship program must provide the borrower with sufficient financial support to study full time for at least six months. A program official must certify the borrower´s participation in the program. 		GFL None X X X X X
In-School Full Time In-School Full Time Deferment
A deferment for borrowers who are attending school full time (as defined by the school). In order to be considered eligible, a school must be an institution of higher education and be eligible to participate in Title IV financial assistance programs. A school official must certify the dates of attendance and enrollment status. (Note: The school can verify if it is an eligible institution and be able to certify enrollment.) 		SCH, PLUS None X X X X* X
In-School Half Time In-School Half Time Deferment
A deferment for borrowers who are attending school half time (as defined by the school). In order to be considered eligible, a school must be an institution of higher education and be eligible to participate in Title IV financial assistance programs. A school official must certify the dates and level of attendance. (Note: The school can verify if it is an eligible institution and be able to certify enrollment.) 		SCH, PLUS None X X X X* X
Military Service Military Service Deferment
A deferment for borrowers who are serving on active duty or qualifying National Guard during a war, military operation, or national emergency and during the 180-day period following the demobilization date. 		MIL None X X X X X
Rehabilitation Training Rehabilitation Training Deferment
A deferment for borrowers engaged in a full­time Rehabilitation Training program. The borrower must be taking part in a full­time program of vocational rehabilitation, drug or alcohol abuse treatment, mental health treatment, or a rehabilitation program through the Department of Veterans Affairs. A program official must certify participation in the program. The program must be licensed, certified, or otherwise recognized as providing rehabilitation training by a responsible state agency. 		RHT None X X X X** X
Unemployment Unemployment Deferment
A deferment available to borrowers who are conscientiously seeking, but unable to find, full-time employment in the United States. Full-time employment is defined as at least 30 hours per week that is expected to last at least three months. The borrower must be registered with an employment agency or be receiving unemployment benefits. (Note: A borrower is not eligible for an unemployment deferment if he or she refuses to consider positions, salaries, or responsibility levels for which he or she feels overly qualified due to education or experience.) 		UNEM 36 months X X X X X

* Eligibility for in-school deferments for Parent PLUS loans normally requires that the parent borrower meet the deferment criteria for the loan. For Parent PLUS loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, parents can request to defer repayment during the time they or their child are enrolled at least half time and until six months after they or their child graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment.

** Eligibility for rehabilitation training deferments for Parent PLUS loans normally requires that the parent borrower meet the deferment criteria for the loan. For Parent PLUS loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, parents can request to defer repayment during the time they or their child meet the criteria.