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
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
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 |
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 |
None |
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer |
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 |
|
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.
|
Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer |
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).
|
Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer |
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.
|
RHT |
None |
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 |
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 |
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.
|
Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer |
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.
|
Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer |
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.)
|
Request in writing from loan holder/ servicer |
36 months |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
PLUS Rehabilitation Training
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 |
|
|
X= Denotes borrower's deferment eligibility |