Deferments
For Perkins Loans disbursed beginning July 1, 1993
| Deferment Type | Time Limit |
|---|---|
| Active Duty A deferment for borrowers returning from active duty who were enrolled at least half time in an eligible institution prior to being called or ordered to active duty (doesn't require activation during a war, military operation, or national emergency). The active duty deferment runs concurrently with the 180-day deferment period following the demobilization date allowed under the military deferment. | 13 months |
| Economic Hardship A deferment for borrowers who earn less than minimum wage or exceed a federally defined debt-to-income ratio. A borrower may also be eligible if he or she is receiving state or federal aid. | 36 months |
| Education Component of Head Start Program Staff A deferment for borrowers whose service as a staff member in an education component of the Head Start Program will qualify him or her for loan cancellation. A borrower who recieves concurrent deferment also is entitled to a post-deferment 6-month grace period. | |
| Graduate Fellowship A deferment for borrowers engaged in a fulltime course of study in a Graduate Fellowship program. The borrower must already hold at least a bachelor's degree. The Graduate Fellowship program must provide the borrower with sufficient financial support to study full time for at least six months. A program official must certify the borrower's participation in the program. | |
| In-School Full Time A deferment for borrowers who are attending school full time (as defined by the school). In order to be considered eligible, a school must be an institution of higher education and be eligible to participate in Title IV financial assistance programs. A school official must certify the dates of attendance and enrollment status. (Note: The school can verify if it is an eligible institution and be able to certify enrollment.) | |
| In-School Half Time A deferment for borrowers who are attending school half time (as defined by the school). In order to be considered eligible, a school must be an institution of higher education and be eligible to participate in Title IV financial assistance programs. A school official must certify the dates and level of attendance. (Note: The school can verify if it is an eligible institution and be able to certify enrollment.) | |
| Law Enforcement or Corrections Officer A deferment for borrowers whose service as a law enforcement or corrections officer will qualify him or her for loan cancellation. A borrower who receives concurrent deferment also is entitled to a post-deferment 6-month grace period. | |
| Military Service A deferment for borrowers who are serving on active duty or qualifying National Guard during a war, military operation, or national emergency and during the 180-day period following the demobilization date. | |
| Nurse or Medical Technician A deferment for borrowers whose service as a nurse or medical technician will qualify him or her for loan cancellation. A borrower who recieves concurrent deferment also is entitled to a post-deferment 6-month grace period. | |
| Professional Provider of Early Intervention Services for the Disabled A deferment for borrowers performing service as a professional provider of early intervention services for the disabled will qualify him or her for loan cancellation. A borrower who recieves concurrent deferment also is entitled to a post-deferment 6-month grace period. | |
| Public or Nonprofit Child or Family Services Agency Employee A deferment for borrowers performing service as an employee of a public or non-profit child or family servies agency will qualify him or her for loan cancellation. A borrower who recieves concurrent deferment also is entitled to a post-deferment 6-month grace period. | |
| Rehabilitation Training A deferment for borrowers engaged in a fulltime Rehabilitation Training program. The borrower must be taking part in a fulltime program of vocational rehabilitation, drug or alcohol abuse treatment, mental health treatment, or a rehabilitation program through the Department of Veterans Affairs. A program official must certify participation in the program. The program must be licensed, certified, or otherwise recognized as providing rehabilitation training by a responsible state agency. | |
| Teacher Forgiveness A deferment for borrowers whose performing service will qualify him or her for teacher loan cancellation. A borrower who recieves concurrent deferment also is entitled to a post-deferment 6-month grace period. | |
| Unemployment A deferment available to borrowers who are conscientiously seeking, but unable to find, full-time employment in the United States. Full-time employment is defined as at least 30 hours per week that is expected to last at least three months. The borrower must be registered with an employment agency or be receiving unemployment benefits. (Note: A borrower is not eligible for an unemployment deferment if he or she refuses to consider positions, salaries, or responsibility levels for which he or she feels overly qualified due to education or experience.) | 36 months |
Other deferment eligibility charts:
Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized, Federal Stafford (subsidized or unsubsidized), Direct PLUS, Federal PLUS, SLS (Supplemental Loan for Students), Direct Consolidation, and Federal Consolidation Loans:
- Disbursed prior to July 1, 1987
- Disbursed from July 1, 1987 to June 30, 1993
- Disbursed on or after July 1, 1993
Federal Perkins Loans: