Repayment Challenges

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Repayment Assistance

800.343.8883

617.728.4200, ext. 5000

repaymentcounselor@asa.org

Mon – Thu: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Fri: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sun: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Please note: All times Eastern.

Types of Deferments

Deferment temporarily puts your student loan payments on hold. If you meet certain criteria and you have loans through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) or the Direct Loan program (DL), you cannot be denied a deferment.

Although several deferments are available for all federal student loan borrowers, some are only available based on loan type and oldest outstanding debt. If you’re not sure if you qualify for a deferment, please contact American Student Assistance® (ASA) or your servicer.

For All Federal Student Loan Borrowers

For New Borrowers as of July 1, 1993

If this is your borrower category (see below), you may qualify for the following deferment types in addition to deferments available to all borrowers:

For Pre-July 1, 1993, Borrowers

If you are not a “new borrower,” you may be eligible for the following deferment types in addition to deferment available to all borrowers:

Every deferment has additional terms and conditions. Be sure to read each form carefully and keep a copy for your records. If you have any questions about your specific eligibility or deferment terms and conditions, please contact your servicer or ASA.

Remember that deferment may increase the amount you owe overall. During a deferment, the federal government pays any interest that accrues on your subsidized loans—but not on unsubsidized loans. If you can afford to pay the interest on your loans while they're in deferment, do so. It will save you money in the long run.

To calculate how your loan payments will be affected by any type of deferment, use our deferment calculator.

New Borrowers as of July 1, 1993

You are considered a “new borrower” if any of the following is true:

  • You received all of your Stafford, PLUS, or federal Consolidation loans on or after July 1, 1993.
  • You had no outstanding balances on Stafford, PLUS, or federal Consolidation loans prior to July 1, 1993, when you obtained additional Stafford, PLUS, or federal Consolidation loans.
  • You consolidated all of your outstanding Stafford, PLUS, or federal Consolidation loans into a federal Consolidation loan on or after July 1, 1993.

Summer Bridge Deferment

Postponement for when you complete a degree in the spring and do not have a grace period to use before continuing your enrollment at least part time in the fall. This deferment ensures you do not enter repayment between the spring and fall semesters, when your grace period would otherwise be used.

How Long Does It Last?

There is no maximum amount of time for this deferment as long as you continue to meet the criteria.

Graduate Fellowship Deferment

Postponement available if you are enrolled full time in an eligible graduate fellowship program and hold at least a bachelor's degree.

The graduate fellowship program must certify your participation.

How Long Does It Last?

You can use this deferment until you withdraw from or complete the fellowship program.

Rehabilitation Training Deferment

Postponement available if you are engaged in a full-time program—30 hours a week for 3 months—of vocation rehabilitation, drug or alcohol abuse treatment, or mental health treatment.

The program must be licensed, certified, or otherwise recognized as providing rehabilitation training by a responsible state agency or the Department of Veteran Affairs.

A program official must certify the borrower’s participation.

How Long Does It Last?

You can use this deferment until you withdraw from or complete the rehabilitation training program.

Post Active Duty Deferment

Postponement available to borrowers who were called to qualifying federal or state active duty while enrolled, or within 6 months of being enrolled, at an eligible institution.

This deferment will postpone payment for up to 13 months after your return from qualifying active duty.

How Long Does It Last?

There is no maximum length of time you can request this deferment. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be granted up to 13 months of deferment after active duty service.

PLUS Loan Post-Enrollment Deferment

Postponement available to all PLUS loan borrowers. If you borrowed a Parent PLUS loan first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, you may postpone your payments for 6 months after the student benefitting from the loan drops below half-time enrollment.

Parent PLUS loan borrowers must request this deferment. Grad PLUS loan borrowers will be placed on this deferment automatically, but they should confirm this with their loan servicers.

How Long Does It Last?

This deferment can be used each time the student benefitting from the loan drops below half-time enrollment.

In-School Deferment

Postponement for when you are enrolled at an accredited school.

If you are a new borrower as of July 1, 1993, you must be enrolled at least half time. Definitions of half-time enrollment vary by school—it’s important to know how your school defines this.

If you are a pre-July 1, 1993 borrower, you may need to be enrolled full time to be eligible for this deferment.

Parent PLUS borrowers have always been able to use this deferment based on their own enrollment in an eligible school. However, borrowers of Parent PLUS loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, can use this deferment based on the enrollment of the student benefitting from the loan. The benefitting student must be enrolled at least half time.

How Long Does It Last?

There is no maximum amount of time for this deferment as long as you meet the criteria.

In-School Deferment Request for FFELP (pdf, 0.06 MB)

In-School Deferment Request for Direct Loans (pdf, 0.2 MB)

Military Deferment

Postponement if you are serving on active duty—or qualifying National Guard duty—during a war, a military operation, or a national emergency.

You must certify active duty and submit a copy of your military orders.

How Long Does It Last?

There is no maximum time limit—as long as you qualify, you will be granted this deferment from the time you enter active duty. This deferment will end 180 days after you are demobilized.

Military Deferment Request for Direct Loans and FFELP  (pdf, 0.09 MB)

Unemployment Deferment

Postponement available if you are unemployed and looking for work. You must be:

  • Seeking, but unable to find, full-time employment in the United States.
  • Registered with an employment agency.
  • Receiving unemployment benefits.

How Long Does It Last?

If you are a "new" borrower post-July 1, 1993, you can request this deferment for up to 3 years. All other borrowers can only request this deferment for up to 2 years.

Unemployment Deferment Request for FFELP (pdf, 0.06 MB)

Unemployment Deferment Request for Direct Loans (pdf, 0.05 MB)

Economic Hardship Deferment

Postponement that you can use if you’re facing a period of economic difficulties. You must be either:

  • Receiving federal or state welfare aid.
  • Earning less than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines for your family size.
  • Serving in the Peace Corps.

How Long Does It Last?

You can request this deferment for up to 3 years.

Economic Hardship Deferment Request for Direct Loans (pdf, 0.37 MB)

Economic Hardship Deferment Request for FFELP (pdf, 0.06 MB)

Internship/Residency Training Deferment

Postponement available while you are serving in an internship or residency program in order to begin professional practice or service. You can also use this if your program leads to a degree or certificate awarded by an eligible institution or health care facility that offers post-graduate training.

You must hold at least a bachelor's degree before being accepted into the program, and the program must be supervised. You will need an authorized official from your internship or residency's organization to certify your deferment request form.

Internship Residency/Education-Related Deferment Request for Direct Loans (pdf, 0.18 MB)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Deferment

Postponement available while you're on active duty service in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). An authorized official must certify your active duty.

How Long Does It Last?

You can use this deferment for up to 3 years.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Public Service Deferment Request for Direct Loans (pdf, 0.06 MB)

Parental Leave Deferment

Postponement available if you are pregnant or caring for a newborn or newly adopted child. You cannot be working full time, and must have been attending school within 6 months prior to the beginning of the deferment.

How Long Does It Last?

You can use this deferment for up to 6 months for each time you qualify.

Parental Leave Deferment for Direct Loans (pdf, 0.05 MB)

Parental Leave Form for FFELP (pdf, 0.07 MB)

Peace Corps/ACTION/Tax-Exempt Volunteer Deferment

Postponement available if you are serving full time for at least 1 year in the Peace Corps, an ACTION program, or a tax-exempt organization determined comparable by the U.S. Department of Education.

You must be working for a nonreligious organization and be making less than minimum wage to qualify.

How Long Does It Last?

You can use this deferment for up to 3 years.

Peace Corps/Public Service Deferment for Direct Loans (pdf, 0.06 MB)

Public Health Services Deferment

Postponement available if you are serving full time in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS).

You must have an authorized official of the U.S. Public Health Service certify your completed Public Health Service Deferment Request Form.

How Long Does It Last?

You can use this deferment for up to 3 years.

Public Service Deferment Request for Direct Loans (pdf, 0.06 MB)

Public Service Deferment Request for FFELP (pdf, 0.07 MB)

Teacher Shortage Deferment

Postponement available if you are teaching full time in a public or nonprofit private elementary or secondary school in a teacher shortage area, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.

You must have your chief school administrator certify your deferment request.

How Long Does It Last?

You can use this deferment for up to 3 years.

Teacher Shortage Area/Education-Related Deferment Request for Direct Loans (pdf, 0.18 MB)

Temporary Total Disability Deferment

Postponement if you are temporarily totally disabled, unable to secure or continue employment because you are temporarily disabled or you are caring for a dependent or spouse who is temporarily totally disabled.

You must be unable to work and earn money due to the disability for at least 60 days, or be providing continuous care for a dependent or spouse during a period of at least 90 consecutive days.

You must have an M.D. or a D.O. certify your deferment request every 6 months throughout the duration of the deferment and condition.

How Long Does It Last?

You can use this deferment for up to 3 years.

Temporary Total Disability Deferment for Direct Loans (pdf, 0.06 MB)

Temporary Total Disability Deferment Request for FFELP (pdf, 0.07 MB)

Working Mother Deferment

Postponement for mothers who have preschool-age children and are entering or re-entering the work force.

You must have entered or re-entered the workforce within 1 year before this deferment request. You must be working full time in a position and not earn more than $1 per hour above the federal minimum wage.

How Long Does It Last?

You can use this deferment for up to 1 year.

Working Mother Deferment for Direct Loans (pdf, 0.05 MB)

Working Mother Deferment Request for FFELP (pdf, 0.07 MB)