Deferments

For Federal Family Education Loan Program and Federal Direct Loan Program Loans disbursed prior to July 1, 1987

Deferment Type Form Time Limit Stafford SLS PLUS Prior to 8/15/83 Other PLUS Loans Consolidation
Active Duty 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: English 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. 		PUB: English, Spanish 36 months 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. 		EDU: English, Spanish   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: English, Spanish   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: English, Spanish           X
Internship/Residency Internship/Residency Deferment
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. 		EDU: English, Spanish 24 months 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: English   X X X X X
Parental Leave Parental Leave Deferment
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. 		PLWM: English, Spanish 6 months X X      
Public Health Services Public Health Services Deferment
A deferment for borrowers serving as full-time officers in the Commissioned Corps of Public Health of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). 		PUB: English, Spanish 36 months 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. 		EDU: English, Spanish   X X X X X
Temporary Total Disability Temporary Total Disability Deferment
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: English, Spanish 36 months 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: English, Spanish 24 months X X X X X
Volunteer ACTION Program Volunteer ACTION Program Deferment
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. 		PUB: English, Spanish 36 months X X X    
Volunteer Peace Corps Volunteer Peace Corps Deferment
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. 		PUB: English, Spanish 36 months X X X    
Volunteer Tax Exempt Organization Volunteer Tax Exempt Organization Deferment
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.) 		PUB: English, Spanish 36 months X X X    

X= Denotes borrower's deferment eligibility

Other deferment eligibility charts:

Federal Family Education Loan Program (Federal Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized), PLUS (Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students), SLS (Supplemental Loan for Students) and Federal Consolidation Loans):

Federal Perkins Loans: