Deferment

Deferments are periods when payment on the principal of a Stafford Loan (except for unsubsidized Stafford Loans) is postponed and interest subsidy payments are made by the federal government. Once repayment begins, borrowers are entitled to a deferment if they meet the requirements. Borrowers must request a deferment either verbally or on a form provided by the lender or servicer and must provide documentation to support their request. A borrower's eligibility for a deferment depends on when the loan was made, as well as the individual deferment's requirements. Our online calculator can help you estimate the cost of an unsubsidized deferment.