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Under certain circumstances, which are spelled out in your promissory note, repayment of your loan may be delayed for a specific period of time. For subsidized Federal Stafford Loans, the government will again pay the interest during
periods of deferment; for unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans you are responsible for the interest, which will be accrued and capitalized no later than when repayment begins again. For students borrowing for the first time after July 1,
1993, the deferments are as follows:
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full-time or half-time attendance at any eligible educational institution |
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in rehabilitation training |
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in a graduate fellowship in the United States or abroad |
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unemployment up to a total of 36 months (3 years), if actively seeking full time employment in any field |
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economic hardship (income below poverty level for a family of two; below Federal minimum wage; or a formula based on these two criteria) up to three years total |
If your loans were first disbursed before July, 1993, the deferment conditions are spelled out more precisely on your promissory note or on a deferment form which may be obtained from your Financial Aid Office, Lender, Servicer, or
Guarantor.
The following deferment options are effective for new borrowers1 whose first disbursements are made on or after July 1, 1993.
| Deferment Options |
Subsidized Federal Stafford |
Unsubsidized Federal Stafford |
Federal SLS |
Federal PLUS |
| At least half-time study as determined by eligible institution |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES2 |
| Approved graduate fellowship program |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES2 |
| Approved rehabilitation program for disabled training |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES2 |
| Unable to find full-time employment |
Up to 3 years |
Up to 3 years |
Up to 3 years |
Up to 3 years2 |
| Economic hardship |
Up to 3 years |
Up to 3 years |
Up to 3 years |
Up to 3 years2 |
Note: Both principal and interest may be deferred on PLUS and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans for the deferment period
- In this case a new borrower is defined as one who has no outstanding balance on a PLUS Loan prior to July 1, 1993.
- Deferments are not available based on dependent's status
The following deferment options are effective for all loans made before July 1, 1993 and for loans made to borrowers with loans outstanding as of July 1, 1993.
| Deferment Options |
Stafford GSL |
SLS/ALAS |
PLUS |
| Full-time study at approved school |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| At least half-time study at approved school for loans 7/1/87 and after |
YES1 |
YES1 |
YES1 |
| Full-time study in an eligible fellowship program |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Full-time participation in an approved rehabilitation program |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Full-time active duty in Armed Forces or serving as commissioned officer in Public Health Service2 |
Up to 3 years3,4 |
Up to 3 years3,4 |
Up to 3 years3,4 |
| Full-time active duty in National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration2 |
Up to 3 years3 |
Up to 3 years3 |
NO |
| Full-time service in Peace Corps or Action |
Up to 3 years4 |
Up to 3 years4 |
Up to 3 years4 |
| Full-time paid volunteer service in tax-exempt organization |
Up to 3 years4 |
Up to 3 years4 |
Up to 3 years4 |
| Eligible internship or residency |
Up to 2 years3,4 |
Up to 2 years3,4 |
Up to 2 years4 |
| Unemployment |
Up to 2 years |
Up to 2 years |
Up to 2 years |
| Temporarily totally disabled or unable to work while caring for a temporarily totally disabled spouse or other dependent |
Up to 3 years |
Up to 3 years |
Up to 3 years |
| Parental leave |
Up to 6 months |
Up to 6 months |
NO |
| Mother of preschool child entering/re-entering work force at pay not to exceed $1 over minimum wage |
Up to 1 year3 |
Up to 1 year3 |
NO |
| Teacher in shortage area as designated by the Secretary of Education |
Up to 3 years3 |
Up to 3 years3 |
NO |
Note: Both principal and interest may be deferred on PLUS and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans for the deferment period. Any unpaid interest will be capitalized (added to principal) at the end of the deferment period.
- Borrower must have obtained a loan for requested deferment period.
- No more than three years total for Armed Forces, Public Health service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) service combined.
- On new borrower loans disbursed for loan periods beginning on or after 7/1/87.
- Only on loans made prior to 8/15/83.
Note: If you have a GLS, SLS, or ALAS loan, the deferments are equal to the Stafford Loan deferments listed above.
If you change your graduation date, if you change schools, or if you continue your education beyond the date originally certified, and do not borrow additional loans, you will need to complete a verification of continuous enrollment
and submit it to your lender or servicer in a timely manner. This will notify the lender or servicer of your loan that you are still in school, and that your loan should remain in an in-school status.
More information on teacher loan forgiveness programs can be found at the Department of Education site.
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