Deferment: Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)

The information provided on this page is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all available deferment options or qualifications, but rather a summary of the most commonly used deferments. After reviewing the information below, please contact an i3 Specialist at 866-296-7955 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to learn more about your FFELP deferment options. 

In-school Deferment

SCH In-school Deferment Form

Qualifications

Certified enrollment in school on at least a half-time basis. Your school is the final authority on what constitutes half-time enrollment.

Duration

This deferment will apply so long as you are in school and are meeting the half-time requirement as defined by your school.

 Unemployment Deferment    

UNEM Unemployment Deferment Form

Qualifications

All of the following criteria must be met:

  • Unemployed or working less than 30 hrs/wk
  • Pursuing full-time employment (i.e. 30 or more hrs/wk)
  • Registered with a U.S. employment agency
  • Have not been granted the unemployment deferment in the past 36 months

Duration

36 months (maximum)

 Economic Hardship Deferment    

HRD Economic Hardship Deferment Form

Qualifications

One of the following criteria must be met:

  • Receiving food stamps, TANF, SSI, or other approved form of public assistance
  • Earnings are below the poverty line for a family of two despite working full-time
  • Federal student loan payments are more than 20% of gross income despite working full-time
  • Approved for economic hardship deferment under either the Perkins or Direct Loan programs
  • Not working full-time but your monthly earnings, after subtracting loan payments, are below the poverty line for a family of two

Duration

36 month (maximum)

Education Related Deferment    

EDU Education Related Deferment Form

Qualifications

Graduate Fellowship

  • Participating in a full-time (as defined by your school) graduate fellowship

Rehabilitation Training Services

  • Not working full-time and are eligible for training services provided by an approved rehabilitation agency

A rehabilitation agency may include The Veterans’ Administration, state agencies providing vocational rehabilitation, mental health services, and drug/alcohol abuse treatment programs

Duration

Graduate Fellowship - This deferment will apply so long as you are participating in the fellowship program on a full-time basis.

Rehabilitation Training - This deferment will apply so long as you are participating in the applicable training program.