Federal Student Loan Deferment

You may qualify for a Military Service Deferment if you do one of the following:

• Serve on active duty during war, other military operation or national emergency.
• Perform qualifying National Guard duty during war, other military operation or national emergency.

You may qualify for a Post-Active Duty Student Deferment if all the following apply:

• You are a member or a retired member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the Armed Forces.
• Your service includes a period on or after Oct. 1, 2007.
• You were enrolled at an eligible school at least half time, as defined by your school, when you were called to active duty or within six months before you were called to active duty.

Download the Military Service and Post-Active Duty Student Deferment Request form (PDF). Note: A representative may complete and sign the Military Service Deferment form on your behalf if you are unable to do so.

Learn more about additional repayment benefits available for your federal and/or private loans due to your military service.

You may qualify for an In-School Deferment if you are enrolled in school as either a full-time or half-time student as defined by your school. Note: If you have both federal and private student loans serviced by Aspire Servicing Center, all your loans will be placed on in-school deferment if you submit the federal In-School Deferment Request form to us.

Federal loan borrowers download the In-School Deferment Request form (PDF).

You may be eligible for an Unemployment Deferment if you have federal loans and are unemployed.

Download the Unemployment Deferment Request form (PDF).

You may qualify for an Economic Hardship Deferment if you:

• Are granted an economic hardship deferment under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program or the Federal Perkins Loan Program. If you have federal loans serviced by another lender, you may have loans in one of these programs.
• Receive or received payments under a federal or state public assistance program.
• Serve as a Peace Corps volunteer.
• Experience economic hardship and meet the income qualifications listed on the deferment form.

Download the Economic Hardship Deferment Request form (PDF).

You may qualify for a Parent PLUS Borrower Deferment if:

• You have a dependent student enrolled in school either full time or half time.
• Your loans were disbursed on qualifying dates.

Download the Parent PLUS Borrower Deferment Request form (PDF).

You may also qualify for a deferment if your dependent student is in a rehabilitation training program. Please contact Aspire Servicing Center for more information about this type of deferment.

You may qualify for a deferment while you complete your graduate fellowship or receive rehabilitation training.

Download the Rehabilitation Training Deferment Request form (PDF).

Download the Graduate Fellowship Deferment Request form (PDF).

You may also qualify for a deferment, if you have at least one loan that was made before July 1, 1993, that still has a balance, while you:

• Complete your internship or residency.
• Teach in designated teacher shortage areas.
• Have a student dependent in a graduate fellowship program.

Please contact Aspire Servicing Center for more information about this type of deferment.

If you have at least one loan that was made before July 1, 1993, that still has a balance, you may request a Public Service Deferment if you are:

• On full-time active duty in the Armed Forces.
• On full-time active duty in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• A commissioned officer in the Public Health Service.
• A volunteer in the Peace Corps, ACTION program or tax-exempt organization.

Please contact Aspire Servicing Center for more information about this type of deferment.

If you have at least one loan that was made before July 1, 1993, that still has a balance, you may qualify for a Temporary Total Disability Deferment based on either your, your spouse's or your dependent's temporary total disability. A medical doctor will need to verify one of the following:

• You are/were unable to work or attend school for at least 60 consecutive days.
• You are/were unable to work for at least 90 consecutive days due to caring for a dependent.

This deferment cannot be granted based on an uncomplicated pregnancy.

Download the Temporary Total Disability Deferment Request form (PDF).

If you have at least one loan that was made before July 1, 1993, that still has a balance, you may qualify for the Parental Leave/Working Mother Deferment if you are either:

• A working mother who meets income eligibility requirements.
• On parental leave.

Please contact Aspire Servicing Center for more information about this type of deferment.