In-School
In school deferment allows temporary suspension of payments on eligible loans, while in school. In school status is defined as attending at least half time at an eligible institution. Once you graduate or drop below the half time enrollment requirement you will no longer qualify for this deferment. In school deferment is also available for Parent PLUS loans if the dependent student, on whose behalf the loan was taken out, is enrolled in an eligible institution attending at least half time. The PLUS loan must have first disbursed on or after 07/01/08.
Unemployment
Unemployment deferment allows a temporary suspension of payments on eligible loans, while unemployed or working less than 30 hours a week, or while working full time at a job that is not expected to last more than 90 consecutive days.
Economic Hardship
You must receive federal or state public assistance or earn less than a federal minimum wage or less than 150% of the poverty guideline for your family size and state to receive this deferment.
Graduate Fellowship
You must be engaged in a full-time graduate fellowship program that provides sufficient financial support to allow for full-time study for at least 6 months. You will be required to provide a statement of objectives, as well as periodic reports, projects or other evidence of progress.
Rehabilitation Training
You must receive or be scheduled to receive rehabilitation training services from a rehabilitation training program that is licensed, approved, certified or otherwise recognized to provide training for vocational rehabilitation, drug abuse treatment, mental health services or alcohol abuse treatment programs, or by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
PLUS Borrower with Dependent Student (for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2008)
Parent PLUS borrowers may elect to have repayment of a PLUS loan postponed while the dependent student, on whose behalf the loan was taken out, is enrolled and attending at least half-time.
Military Service
You must be serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces (including National Guard duty) during a war or other military operation, or a national emergency Documentation with enlistment dates must be certified by a commanding officer. Your military service must have begun on or after 10/01/07, or include that date. You, or your representative, may be able to request this deferment for up to a year.
Post Active Duty
Effective Oct. 1, 2007, a FFELP borrower who is a member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the U.S. Armed forces (current or retired) and is called or ordered to active duty while enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school, or within six months of having been enrolled at least half-time, is eligible for a deferment during the 13 months following the conclusion of the active duty service, or until the borrower returns to enrolled student status on at least a half-time basis, whichever is earlier.