Deferments
Loans disbursed prior to July 1, 1987
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 (subsidized or unsubsidized) | SLS | Direct PLUS / Federal PLUS for Parents Prior to 8/15/83 | Direct PLUS / Federal PLUS for Parents on/after 8/16/83 | Direct Consolidation / Federal Consolidation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Graduate Fellowship 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 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 | None | X | X | X | X | X |
| In-School Half Time 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 | None | X | ||||
| Internship/ Residency A deferment for borrowers who have at least a bachelor's degree and who are serving in an internship program that is required in order to begin professional practice or service; or a medical internship or residency program that leads to a degree or certificate awarded by a higher education institution, hospital, or a healthcare facility that offers postgraduate training. | Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer | 24 months | X | X | X | ||
| Military Service 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 | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Parental Leave A deferment for borrowers who are pregnant or caring for a newborn or newly adopted child. To be eligible, a borrower must have been enrolled at least half time in an eligible postsecondary school at some time during the six months immediately preceding the parental leave deferment. The borrower must not be attending school or working full time (at least 30 hours per week that is expected to last at least three months) during the period of deferment. | Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer | 6 months | X | X | |||
| Public Health Services A deferment for borrowers serving as full-time officers in the Commissioned Corps of Public Health of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). | Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer | 36 months | X | X | X | ||
| Rehabilitation Training 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 |
| Temporary Total Disability A deferment for periods when the borrower is temporarily totally disabled or unable to secure or continue employment because the borrower is caring for a dependent or spouse who is temporarily totally disabled. A borrower is considered to be temporarily totally disabled if he or she has been unable to work or earn income or attend school for at least 60 days because of time needed to recover from an injury or illness. A borrower's dependent or spouse is considered to be temporarily totally disabled if, by reason of injury or illness, the dependent or spouse requires continuous nursing or similar services for at least 90 days. | TDIS | 36 months | X | X | X | X | X |
| Unemployment 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 | 24 months | X | X | X | X | X |
| Volunteer ACTION Program A deferment for borrowers serving as full-time, paid volunteers in a program authorized under Title I of the Domestic Volunteer Act of 1973 (ACTION programs). The borrower must have volunteered for at least one year. | Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer | 36 months | X | X | X | ||
| Volunteer Peace Corps A deferment for borrowers voluntarily serving full time in the Peace Corps under the Peace Corps Act. The borrower must have volunteered for at least one year. | Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer | 36 months | X | X | X | ||
| Volunteer Tax Exempt Organization A deferment for borrowers serving as fulltime, paid volunteers with a taxexempt organization that the U.S. Department of Education has determined to be comparable to service as a Peace Corps or ACTION volunteer. The borrower must be providing specified services to lowincome persons and their communities. Also, the borrower's compensation can not exceed the federal minimum wage. (Note: The borrower can not give religious instruction, conduct worship services, engage in religious proselytizing, or engage in fundraising to support religious activities as part of his or her service.) | Request in writing from loan holder/servicer | 36 months | X | X | X | ||
| PLUS Rehabilitation Training A deferment for parent borrower during which the student for whom the parent obtained the PLUS loan(s) meets the conditions required for participation in a rehabilitation program. | Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer | None | X |
Other deferment eligibility charts:
Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized, Federal Stafford (subsidized or unsubsidized), Direct PLUS, Federal PLUS, SLS (Supplemental Loan for Students), Direct Consolidation, and Federal Consolidation Loans:
Federal Perkins Loans: