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How to Get Your Student Loans Deferred
By
Kayla Korzekwinski
Kayla Korzekwinski is a Scholarships360 content writer. She earned her BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she studied Advertising/PR, Rhetorical Communication, and Anthropology. Kayla has worked on communications for non-profits and student organizations. She loves to write and come up with new ways to express ideas.
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Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.
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Caitlyn Cole is a college access professional with a decade of experience in non-profit program and project management for college readiness and access organizations.
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Student loan deferment is a temporary suspension of your monthly student loan payments. If you are struggling to make your student loan payments or are going through a particular life event (like graduate school or losing your job), student loan deferment can be a good way to get you back on your feet. Student loan deferment is only available in certain situations, so continue reading to learn how to get your student loans deferred if applicable.
When to defer your student loans
Student loan deferment offers relief when unable to make your payments. However, it may not always be the best option. It’s important to know that, in most cases, interest will continue to accrue on your loans in deferment. The only loans that you won’t be responsible for paying interest on are ones that are subsidized by the federal government.
Depending on your loan type, borrowers may continue paying interest while in deferment. The interest might then be added to your balance, and increase the total loan balance. Take the time to fully understand how capitalized interest works before signing off on deferment.
Student loan deferment can also have an impact on your eligibility for forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program or income-driven repayment plans. Periods of deferment often don’t count toward these programs.
Because of the impact that student loan deferment can have, consider it to be a last-resort option. First, talk to your loan servicer to discuss your options and your eligibility for loan deferment. Remember, your loans are your responsibility. You must keep track of your eligibility, paperwork, deadlines, and date that your loans come out of deferment.
Now that you know about the consequences of deferring your loans, let’s dive into the kinds of deferment available and how to get started.
Federal student loan deferment
The Department of Education offers student loan deferment for all types of federal loans. In most cases, student loan deferment needs to be applied for; here is a list of the application forms for the deferments mentioned below:
Economic hardship deferment
If suffering economic hardship, consider having your loan payments deferred. Students are eligible for this deferment if they receive a benefit like welfare, work full-time but have low earnings, or are serving in the Peace Corps. Serving in the Peace Corps may mean you can defer loans while serving for AmeriCorps, on the other hand, may mean that your loans can go into forbearance. The main difference is that interest accrues while loans are in deference, but interest does not accrue while loans are in forbearance.
Economic hardship deferment lasts for up to three years, and the years don’t need to be consecutive. This is important to keep in mind if you’re expecting to need deferment for longer.
Unemployment deferment
If receiving unemployment benefits or unable to find a full-time job, students can receive unemployment deferments. Like the economic hardship deferment, this deferment lasts for up to three years.
In-school deferment
If returning to school for at least half-time while repaying loans, most students are eligible for this deferment. In fact, in-school deferment happens automatically when your school reports the necessary information. Deferment applies for the time in school and the six months after leaving.
Graduate fellowship deferment
If enrolled in an eligible graduate fellowship program, students are eligible for this deferment. Generally, these programs provide financial support to graduate students while they perform research and their studies. Students are able to remain in this deferment for as long as they are in a graduate fellowship program.
Military service and post-active duty deferment
Current and former military qualify for this deferment if they are on active duty or if they have completed qualifying active duty military service. Military members can remain in this deferment until they resume attending school at least full-time or for up to 13 months after completing service.
Cancer treatment deferment
Students can receive deferment on their student loans throughout the course of cancer treatment, and for six months after the treatment ends.
Rehabilitation training deferment
Students may qualify for deferment if they are in an approved rehabilitation training program. This deferment applies to students enrolled in vocational, mental health, drug abuse, or alcohol abuse rehabilitation treatment programs.
Private student loan deferment
Most private lenders also offer deferment in a variety of situations. For example, Sallie Mae offers deferment when students return to school or enter an internship, fellowship, clerkship, or residency program.
Private lenders’ options are often more limited. Contact your private student loan lender as soon as possible to have your private loans deferred.If deferment is not possible, grants and loan forgiveness programs can pay off all or part of private student loan debt.
Explore all options
As you can see, there are viable options when paying your loans does not work for your current or coming situation. Start researching and making a plan so that you successfully defer your loans and avoid late payments. Talk to your lender as soon as possible when you’re thinking about deferment.
Key Takeaways
Frequently asked questions about how to get your loans deferred
Can I change my repayment plan after I start repaying my student loans?
How do I apply for student loan deferment?
How long can I defer my student loans?
Who is eligible for student loan deferment?
How can I manage my student loan debt responsibly?
How much can I borrow with a student loan?
Is interest still accruing during deferment?
What happens if I can’t repay my student loans?
