A student loan deferment allows you to temporarily postpone loan payments. If your loan is subsidized then you are not charged interest during the deferment period.   If it's unsubsidized, interest does accrue however, it can be paid during or after the deferment period.   But, if you don't pay it as it accrues, it is capitalized thus increasing the amount you will have to repay.

Deferments are possible under the following circumstances!

Forbearance - temporary postponement of student loan payments

If you are temporarily unable to meet your repayment schedule but are not eligible for a deferment, you may receive forbearance for a limited and specified period of time. During forbearance, your payments are postponed or reduced.

You may be granted forbearance if you are:

• unable to pay due to poor health or other unforeseen personal problems.
• serving in a medical or dental internship or residency.
• serving in a position under the National Community Service Trust Act of 1993
• obligated to make payments on certain federal student student-loans that are equal to or greater than 20 percent of your monthly gross income.

Whether your student loans are subsidized or unsubsidized, you will be charged interest and, unless you pay the interest as it accrues, its capitalized thus increasing the amount you'll have to repay.

Deferments and forbearances are not automatic.

You must contact your loan servicing center to request either option and then follow their procedures closely for requesting a deferment or forbearance. Be prepared to provide documentation to support your request.

You must continue making scheduled payments until you receive notification that the deferment or forbearance has been granted. Failing to make payments on your loan places it in a default status and may negatively effect your credit rating.

1. For PLUS student loans and unsubsidized student student loans, only the principal is deferred. Interest continues to accrue.
2. Direct Loan borrowers who have outstanding balances on FFEL student loans disbursed prior to July 1993, might be eligible for additional deferments provided the outstanding balance on the FFEL existed when the borrower received their first Direct Loan.
3. Applies to student loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 1993, to borrowers who have no outstanding FFELs or Federal Supplemental student loans for Students (Federal SLS Program) on the date they signed their promissory note. (Note that the Federal SLS Program was repealed beginning with the 1994-1995 award year.)
4. Many Peace Corps volunteers will qualify for a deferment based on economic hardship.
5. More information on teaching service deferments can be found on the Internet at www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students/repayment/teachers/

Another great resource is Federal Student Aid

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