Deferment Definitions
Action Programs Deferment
Borrowers may postpone payments with this deferment type while serving full-time in the Action Programs for at least one year.
Armed Forces Deferment
This deferment type may be used to postpone payments for a borrower serving in the military on active duty status.
Dependent Student Enrolled at Least Half-time Deferment
Borrowers may postpone payments on a PLUS loan when the dependent student for whose education the loan was disbursed is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school.
Dependent Student Enrolled Full-time Deferment
Borrowers may postpone payments on a PLUS loan when the dependent student for whose education the loan was disbursed is enrolled full-time at an eligible school.
Dependent Student in a Full-time Rehabilitation Training Program Deferment
Borrowers may postpone payments on a PLUS loan when the dependent student for whose education the loan was disbursed is engaged in a full-time rehabilitation training program.
Economic Hardship Deferment
This deferment postpones payments for a borrower during times of financial difficulty where the borrower receives public assistance, serves in the Peace Corps, receives the deferment on a Direct or Perkins loan, or meets specific income criteria.
Full-time Student Deferment
Any borrower who is certified by an eligible school as enrolled on a full-time basis may receive this deferment.
Graduate Fellowship Deferment
This deferment type postpones payments for borrowers engaged in a full-time course of study in a Graduate Fellowship program.
Internship/Residency Deferment
This deferment type postpones payments for a borrower engaged in an Internship/Residency program.
Less than Full-time but at Least Half-time Student
In order to qualify for this deferment, an eligible school must certify that the borrower is enrolled at least half-time.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Deferment
Borrowers serving in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on active duty status may use this deferment type to postpone payments.
Parental Leave Deferment
This deferment type may postpone payments for a pregnant borrower or one caring for a newborn child or a newly adopted child.
Peace Corps Deferment
Borrowers may postpone payments with this deferment type while serving in the Peace Corps for at least one year.
Public Health Service Deferment
This deferment type postpones payments for borrowers serving full-time as an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service.
Rehabilitation Training Deferment
This deferment type is available for borrowers engaged in a full-time rehabilitation training program.
Tax-exempt Organization Deferment
This deferment type may postpone payments for full-time paid volunteers in a tax-exempt organization.
Teacher Shortage Area Deferment
This deferment type is available to borrowers when teaching in a designated teacher shortage area.
Temporary Total Disability Deferment
This deferment type may postpone payments for a borrower with a condition that prevents them from working or going to school, or who is caring for a disabled person.
Unemployment Deferment
This deferment type postpones payments for borrowers who are seeking full-time employment through registry with an employment agency or are receiving unemployment benefits.
Working Mother Deferment
This deferment type may postpone payments for mothers who recently re-entered the workforce.