Student Loan Deferment and Cancellation Summaries

Student Loan Deferment Chart

Deferment Condition
Direct
Loans
FFEL
Loans
Perkins
Loans
At least half-time enrollment at a postsecondary school
Yes
Yes
Yes
Study in an approved graduate fellowship program or rehabilitation training program for the disabled
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unable to find full-time employment
Up to 3 years
Up to 3 years
Up to 3 years
Economic hardship
Up to 3 years
Up to 3 years
Up to 3 years
Engaged in service listed under discharge or cancellation condition
Yes
Yes
Yes
Serving on active military duty during a war, military operation, or national emergency
Yes
Yes
Yes
Called to active duty while enrolled at an eligible school (or within 6 months of being enrolled) at least half-time
Up to 13 months after discharge
Up to 13 months after discharge
Up to 13 months after discharge

You must formally request a deferment through the procedures established by the holder of your loan, and you must continue making payments until you’re notified that the deferment has been granted. Visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Loan Deferment page to learn more.

Student Loan Discharge/ Cancellation Chart

Cancellation Condition
Direct
Loans
FFEL
Loans
Perkins
Loans
Borrower’s total and permanent disability or death
100%
100%
100%
Full-time teacher in a designated elementary or secondary school serving students from low-income families
In some cases
In some cases
Up to 100%
Full-time special education teacher (includes teaching children with disabilities in a public or other nonprofit elementary or secondary school)
No
No
Up to 100%
Full-time qualified professional provider of early intervention services for the disabled
No
No
Up to 100%
Full-time teacher of math, science, foreign language, bilingual education, or in other fields designated as teacher shortage areas
No
No
Up to 100%
Full-time employee of a public or non-profit child or family service agency providing services to high-risk children and their families from low-income communities
No
No
Up to 100%
Full-time nurse or medical technician
No
No
Up to 100%
Full-time law enforcement or corrections officer
No
No
Up to 100%
Full-time staff member in the education component of a Head Start Program
No
No
Up to 100%
Peace Corps or VISTA volunteer
No
No
Up to 70%
Service in the U.S. Armed Forces
No
No
Up to 50% (in areas of imminent danger)
Bankruptcy
In rare cases
In rare cases
In rare cases
Closed school (before student could complete program of study) or false loan certification
Up to 100%
Up to 100%
Up to 100%
School does not make required return of loan funds to lender
Up to the amount school required to return
Up to the amount school required to return
Up to the amount school required to return
Survivors of Victims of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Up to the amount owed on 9/11/01
Up to the amount owed on 9/11/01
Up to the amount owed on 9/11/01

Visit the U.S. Department of Education’sĀ Student Loan Forgiveness, Cancellation and Discharge page to learn more.

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