Deferment
The United States Department of Education has established categories under which you may be able to temporarily cease making payments of principal and interest.

Interest on subsidized Stafford loans won’t accrue during the deferment period. Interest on unsubsidized Stafford, Graduate PLUS, and Parent PLUS will accrue during deferment. Consolidation loans may be made up of subsidized and unsubsidized loans; the interest on the subsidized portion won’t accrue during the deferment.

Accrued interest will be added to your principal if you choose not to pay it prior to the end of a deferment. When accrued interest is added to your principal, your monthly payment amount will adjust accordingly to ensure the loan is fully paid over the remaining repayment period.

Deferment Navigator

The Deferment Navigator is a chart to help determine deferment eligibility based on when you first borrowed your student loan(s). Click below to read about deferment eligibility. You can also access the proper deferment from within this chart.

Download the appropriate documents to help start the deferment process:

• Are you enrolled in school?
  
• Are you unemployed?
  
• Are you experiencing financial difficulties?

There are additional types of deferments available, review the following forms to see if one suits your situation:
All Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) Borrowers

• Unemployment Deferment Request
• In-School Deferment Request
• Education Related Deferment Request

FFELP borrowers with loans made ON or AFTER July 1, 1993

• Economic Hardship Deferment Request
  * Proof of income or other documentation required

FFELP borrowers with loans made BEFORE July 1, 1993

• Public Service Deferment Request
• Parental Leave/Working Mother Deferment Request
• Temporary Total Disability Deferment Request
• PLUS Borrower with Dependent Student Deferment Request

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