According to the Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Office, you may be eligible for a deferment on your federal student loan:
- while you are enrolled at least half-time at an eligible college or career school, and if you received a Direct PLUS Loan or FFEL PLUS Loan as a graduate or professional student, for an additional six months after you cease to be enrolled at least half-time (In-School Deferment Request);
- if you are a parent who received a Direct PLUS Loan or a FFEL PLUS Loan, while the student for whom you obtained the loan is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible college or career school, and for an additional six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time (Parent PLUS Borrower Deferment Request);
- while you are enrolled in an approved graduate fellowship program (Graduate Fellowship Deferment Request);
- while you are enrolled in an approved rehabilitation training program for the disabled (Rehabilitation Training Program Deferment Request);
- while you are unemployed or unable to find full-time employment, for up to three years (Unemployment Deferment Request);
- while you are experiencing economic hardship or serving in the Peace Corps, for up to three years (Economic Hardship Deferment Request);
- while you are on active duty military service in connection with a war, military operation, or national emergency (Military Service and Post-Active Duty Student Deferment Request); or
- if you were on active duty military service in connection with a war, military operation, or national emergency, for the 13 month period following the conclusion of that service, or until you return to college or career school on at least a half-time basis, whichever is earlier (Military Service and Post-Active Duty Student Deferment Request).
Read more at: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/deferment-forbearance#deferment-eligibility
Additionally, you should consider enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan to reduce your monthly student loan payments to an amount affordable for you.