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;
- 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;
- while you are enrolled in an approved graduate fellowship program;
- while you are enrolled in an approved rehabilitation training program for the disabled;
- while you are unemployed or unable to find full-time employment, for up to three years — note: this deferment is no longer available for Direct Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2027;
- while you are experiencing economic hardship or serving in the Peace Corps, for up to three years — note: economic hardship deferment is no longer available for Direct Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2027;
- while you are on active duty military service in connection with a war, military operation, or national emergency; 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.
Important change for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2027: The unemployment deferment and economic hardship deferment are no longer available for these loans. If you have loans disbursed before July 1, 2027, you keep these deferment benefits under the existing rules.
Read more about these options and access Deferment Request Forms at: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/lower-payments/get-temporary-relief/deferment#types
Additionally, you should consider enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan to reduce your monthly student loan payments to an amount affordable for you. Beginning July 1, 2026, the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is available to most Direct Loan borrowers and bases your payment on a sliding scale of 1%–10% of your adjusted gross income.