Deferment Type |
Time Limit |
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.
|
13 months |
Active Duty Armed Forces
Active Duty Armed Forces Deferment
A deferment for borrowers who are active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Members of the
National Guard or the Reserves also may be eligible if they are serving in a full-time active
duty status for a minimum of one year or in cases of a national emergency (two-week active duty
for training is not considered full-time active duty status).
|
36 months |
Active Duty National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps
Active Duty National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps Deferment
A deferment for borrowers serving on active duty for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Corps (NOAA).
|
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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 may also be eligible if he or she is receiving state or
federal aid.
|
36 months |
Education Component of Head Start Program Staff
Education Component of Head Start Program Staff Deferment
A deferment for borrowers whose service as a staff member in an education component of the
Head Start Program will qualify him or her for loan cancellation. A borrower who recieves
concurrent deferment also is entitled to a post-deferment 6-month grace period.
|
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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.
|
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Hardship
Hardship Deferment
A deferment for borrowers, separate and different from an economic hardship deferment, who are
faced with a hardship, as determined by the school (for example, if a borrower is facing a
prolonged period of illness or unemployment). Interest continues to accrue during the hardship
deferment, and hardship deferments do not have a postdeferment grace period.
|
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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.)
|
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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.)
|
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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.
|
24 months |
Law Enforcement or Corrections Officer
Law Enforcement or Corrections Officer Deferment
A deferment for borrowers whose service as a law enforcement or corrections officer will
qualify him or her for loan cancellation. A borrower who receives concurrent deferment also
is entitled to a post-deferment 6-month grace period.
|
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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.
|
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Nurse or Medical Technician
Nurse or Medical Technician Deferment
A deferment for borrowers whose service as a nurse or medical technician will qualify him or
her for loan cancellation. A borrower who recieves concurrent deferment also is entitled to a
post-deferment 6-month grace period.
|
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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.
|
6 months |
Professional Provider of Early Intervention Services for the Disabled
Professional Provider of Early Intervention Services for the Disabled Deferment
A deferment for borrowers performing service as a professional provider of early intervention
services for the disabled will qualify him or her for loan cancellation. A borrower who
recieves concurrent deferment also is entitled to a post-deferment 6-month grace period.
|
|
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).
|
36 months |
Public or Non-profit Child-or Family Services Agency Employee
Public or Nonprofit Child or Family Services Agency Employee Deferment
A deferment for borrowers performing service as an employee of a public or non-profit child
or family servies agency will qualify him or her for loan cancellation. A borrower who
recieves concurrent deferment also is entitled to a post-deferment 6-month grace period.
|
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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.
|
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Teacher Forgiveness
Teacher Forgiveness Deferment
A deferment for borrowers whose performing service will qualify him or her for teacher
loan cancellation. A borrower who recieves concurrent deferment also is entitled to a
post-deferment 6-month grace period.
|
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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.
|
36 months |
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.)
|
36 months |
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.
|
36 months |
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.
|
36 months |
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.)
|
36 months |
Working Mother
Working Mother Deferment
A deferment for borrowers who are mothers of preschool-age children when the mothers are
entering (or re-entering) the work force. A preschool-age child is defined as one who is
not yet enrolled in first grade or a higher grade in elementary school. The mother must be
employed full time (at least 30 hours per week that is expected to last at
least three months).
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