These forms require
Adobe Reader
A deferment is a period of time in which a borrower may postpone monthly principal and interest payments on a
Stafford, PLUS, or Grad PLUS loan. Deferments are generally granted during periods of financial hardship, returning to school, disability, public service or unemployment. Below is a list of available deferment options.
For qualification and application information, click on the link of the deferment option that is most relevant to your needs.
For borrowers with outstanding loans made prior to July 1, 1993.
To qualify for a Disability Deferment, the borrower must be disabled and unable to work or attend school for at least 60 days. You may also qualify if you have a dependent who requires at least 90 days of continuous care during which you can not work more than 30 hours a week.
Disability Deferment can be granted for up to three years; however, recertification, of the disability is required every six months. If the borrower's disability is determined to be permanent, he or she may qualify to have their loan debt cancelled.
If you believe you are eligible to receive a Disability Deferment, you will need to complete the Disability Deferment Form. Review the eligibility information included and attach any additional documentation required.
An Economic Hardship Deferment is intended to aid borrowers who earn less than the minimum wage or who are receiving payments under a federal or state public assistance program. To apply for an Economic Hardship Deferment the borrower must meet at least one of the following eligibility criteria:
Option 1. Check this option if borrower has been granted an economic hardship deferment under William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program or Federal Perkins Loan Program for the same period for which borrower is requesting this deferment. (Must attach documentation of the deferment.)
Option 2: Check this option if borrower is receiving payment from federal or state assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Food Stamps, or state general public assistance. (Must attach documentation of the deferment).
Option 3: Check this option if borrower is serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. (Must attach documentation certifying period of service in the Peace Corps.)
Option 4: Check this option if borrower is working full time and the monthly gross income does not exceed the greater of (a) or (b):
(a) Federal Minimum Wage Rate (monthly amount, based on $7.25 an hour): $1,256.67
(b) The Monthly Poverty Guideline for my family size and state as listed in the poverty guideline chart.
| Borrower's Family Size | These monthly figures represent 150% of the Poverty Line |
48 Contiguous States and
District of Columbia | Alaska | Hawaii |
| 1 | $1,436.25 | $1,793.75 | $1,653.75 |
| 2 | $1,938.75 | $2,422.50 | $2,231.25 |
| 3 | $2,441.25 | $3,051.25 | $2,808.75 |
| 4 | $2,943.75 | $3,680.00 | $3,386.25 |
| 5 | $3,446.25 | $4,308.75 | $3,963.75 |
| 6 | $3,948.75 | $4,937.50 | $4,541.25 |
| 7 | $4,451.25 | $5,566.25 | $5,118.75 |
| 8 | $4,953.75 | $6,195.00 | $5,696.25 |
| For each additional person, add: | $502.50 | $628.75 | $577.50 |
If you believe you are eligible to receive an Economic Hardship Deferment you will need to complete the Economic Hardship Deferment Form, review the eligibility information included, fill it out completely (attaching any additional documentation required), sign, and return it.
To qualify for an Education Related Deferment, the borrower must meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
- Participating in a full-time Graduate Fellowship Program
- Participating in a full-time Rehabilitation Training Program
- Participating in an Internship Program*
- Participating in a Residency Program*
- Teaching in a Designated Teacher Shortage Area*
If you believe you are eligible to receive an Education Related Deferment you will need to complete the Education Related Deferment Form. Review the eligibility information included and attach any additional documentation required.
*The Deferment form is for borrowers with an outstanding balance on at least one FFEL Program loan that was made before July 1, 1993, or who had an outstanding balance on a loan made before July 1, 1993, when he or she obtained a loan on or after July 1, 1993.
To qualify for an In-School Deferment, the student must be enrolled a minimum of half-time at an eligible institution.
If you believe you are eligible to receive an In-School Deferment, you will need to complete the
In-School Deferment Form. Review the eligibility information included and attach any additional documentation required.
A Military Deferment is available for:
- Federal Stafford loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized), Federal PLUS loans, Direct Subsidized loans, Direct Unsubsidized loans, Direct PLUS loans, and Federal Perkins loans, that were first disbursed on or after July 1, 2001, and
- Federal Consolidation Loans and Direct Consolidation Loans, only if all of my Title IV loans included in the consolidation loan were first disbursed on or after July 1, 2001.
A borrower may defer repayment of their eligible loan(s) for a maximum of 3 years while:
- Serving on active duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency. The borrower must provide the loan holder with a copy of the military orders or a written statement from the commanding or personnel officer. Or, the borrower must have the commanding or personnel officer certify Section 4 on this form; or
- Performing qualifying National Guard duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency. The borrower must provide the loan holder with a copy of the military orders or a written statement from the commanding or personnel officer. Or, the borrower must have the commanding or personnel officer certify Section 4.
If you believe you are eligible to receive a Military Deferment,
- You will need to complete the Military Deferment Form
- Download or print the deferment form.
- Review the eligibility information included and attach any additional documentation required as described below.
- Provide a copy of military orders or a written statement from a commanding or personnel officer,
- OR, have the commanding or personnel officer certify Section 4 on the deferment form.
For borrowers with outstanding loans made prior to July 1, 1993.
To qualify for a Parental Leave/Working Mother Deferment, the borrower must meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
Parental Leave
- The borrower is pregnant or is caring for his/her newborn or newly adopted child.
- The borrower will not be attending school during the deferment period.
- The borrower will not be working more than 30 hours a week for at least three months.
- The borrower has been enrolled at least half time during the six-month period prior to the beginning of the deferment period.
Working Mother
- The borrower must be the mother of a pre-school age child.
- The borrower has entered, or will be entering, the workforce within one year from the beginning of the deferment period.
- The borrower works full time, 30 or more hours a week, and does not earn more than $1 over the minimum wage.
If you believe you are eligible to receive a Parental Leave/Working Mother Deferment you will need to complete the
Parental Leave/Working Mother Deferment Form. Review the eligibility information included and attach any additional documentation required.
To qualify for a PLUS In-School Deferment, the dependent student must be enrolled a minimum of half-time at an eligible institution,
- Provided that the borrower was a PLUS loan borrower on or after July 1, 1987, but before July 1, 1993, and has an outstanding balance.
- Provided that the borrower has a Federal PLUS loan that was first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, and has an outstanding balance.
PLUS loans disbursed on or after July 1, 1993, through June 30, 2008, are not eligible for this deferment.
If you believe you are eligible to receive a PLUS In-School Deferment, you will need to complete the
PLUS Deferment Form. Review the eligibility information included and attach any additional documentation required.
For borrowers with outstanding loans made prior to July 1, 1993.
To qualify for a Public Service Deferment, the borrower must meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
- Serving Active Duty in the Armed Forces
- Full-time Officer in the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service
- Serving Active Duty in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Peace Corps Member
- Full-time, Paid Volunteer in the Action Programs
- Tax Exempt Organization, Full-time Paid Volunteer
If you believe you are eligible to receive a Public Service Deferment, you will need to complete the
Public Service Deferment Form. Review the eligibility information included and attaching any additional documentation required.
To qualify for Unemployment Deferment, the borrower must be seeking full-time employment in any field or at any salary or responsibility level and registered with a private or public employment agency within 50 miles of current residence.
If you believe you are eligible to receive an Unemployment Deferment, you will need to complete the
Unemployment Deferment Form. Review the eligibility information included, fill it out completely (attaching any additional documentation required), sign and return it.