📋 Table of Contents
Student Loan Deferment Guide
Deferment allows temporarily postponing federal student loan payments under specific qualifying circumstances, with interest handling that varies by loan type.
Common Deferment Types
| Deferment Type | Qualifying Circumstance |
|---|---|
| In-school deferment | Enrolled at least half-time |
| Economic hardship deferment | Meeting income-based hardship criteria |
| Unemployment deferment | Actively seeking full-time work |
Deferment vs. Forbearance
Deferment and forbearance both pause payments, but subsidized loans don't accrue interest during deferment (the government covers it), while forbearance always accrues interest regardless of loan type — deferment is generally preferable when you qualify.
Applying for Deferment
Contact your loan servicer directly to apply for deferment — you'll typically need to provide documentation supporting your qualifying circumstance.
Common Mistakes
Assuming all loan types handle interest the same way during deferment — unsubsidized loans and PLUS loans continue accruing interest even during deferment, unlike subsidized loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depends on loan type — subsidized federal loans don't accrue interest during deferment, but unsubsidized and PLUS loans do, meaning your balance can grow even while payments are paused.
Contact your loan servicer directly and provide documentation supporting your qualifying circumstance — the specific process varies slightly by deferment type.