If you are unable to repay a loan that is part of the federal education loan program, there are deferment options for which you may be eligible. A deferment allows you to postpone your scheduled monthly payments. If the loan is a subsidized Federal Direct Loan, the federal government may pay the interest during periods of deferment. If the loan is an unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan, you can pay the interest or it will be capitalized back (added on) to the principal of the loan. You should notify your loan servicer immediately if you think you are having difficulty in repaying your student loan.

To see if you qualify for any deferment option, please answer the following questions:

1. Are you enrolled at least half-time in college or a career school?

If yes, you may be eligible for a deferment. Please contact your loan officer for information.

2. Are you enrolled in an approved graduate fellowship program?

If yes, you may be eligible for a deferment. Please contact your loan officer for information.

3. Are you in an approved rehabilitation training program for the disabled?

If you are in a rehabilitation training program that is licensed, approved, certified, or otherwise recognized as providing rehabilitation training to qualified individuals by a state agency responsible for vocational rehabilitation, drug abuse treatment, mental health services, or alcohol treatment programs, or by the Department of Veterans Affairs, you may be eligible for an education related deferment. You will need to complete a deferment form and send completed forms to the lender or servicer of your loan(s).

4. Are you unemployed, or unable to find full-time employment?

If yes, you may be eligible for a deferment for up to three years. Please contact your loan officer for information.

5. Are you currently in a period of economic hardship (this includes service in the Peace Corps)?

If yes, you may be eligible for a deferment for up to three years. Please contact your loan officer for information.

6. Are you currently on active military service during a war, military operation, or national emergency?

If yes, you may be eligible for a deferment. Please contact your loan officer for information.

7. Are you within the 13-month period following the conclusion of qualifying for active duty military service, or have you returned to enrollment on at least a half-time basis, whichever is earlier?

If yes, you may be eligible for a deferment. Please contact your loan officer for information.