Federal Student Loan Forbearance

Forbearance is a way to delay repayment on your federal student loans if you don't qualify for deferment.

Note: Borrower benefit programs may be revoked or suspended during periods of forbearance.

Interest During Forbearance

If you choose to place your loans in forbearance:

  • Interest will accrue and may be added to your loan; therefore, forbearing payments for an extended period of time may substantially increase your loan balance.
  • We strongly encourage you to make payments that at least cover your accrued interest before your forbearance ends to avoid increases in your loan balance.

Forbearance Options

Are you experiencing financial difficulties?

You may qualify for a Student Loan Debt Burden Forbearance if the total monthly payment on all your eligible federal student loans is at least 20% of your total monthly income.

Download the Mandatory Forbearance Request Student Loan Debt Burden form (PDF).

You may qualify for a General Forbearance if you are having temporary financial difficulty that prevents you from paying the minimum monthly amount on your student loans.

Download the General Forbearance Request Form (PDF).

Are you experiencing a natural disaster or a local or national emergency?

You may be able to postpone payments with use of a disaster forbearance. During forbearance of your payments, interest is still charged. Please contact Aspire Servicing Center for more information about this type of forbearance.

Are you serving on active duty in the National Guard?

You may qualify for a National Guard Duty Forbearance if you:

  • Are a member of the National Guard and engaged in active duty.
  • Do not qualify for a military service deferment or other deferment while you are on active military state duty.
  • Were activated no more than six months after the last date you were enrolled in school at least half time, as defined by your school.

Download the Mandatory Forbearance Request form (PDF).

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

Are you performing service that qualifies you for the Department of Defense Loan Repayment Program?

You may qualify for a Department of Defense Loan Repayment Program Forbearance if you are performing service that qualifies you for partial repayment of your loans under the Department of Defense Loan Repayment Program authorized under 10 U.S.C. 2171.

Download the Mandatory Forbearance Request form (PDF).

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

Are you a full-time elementary or secondary school teacher?

You may qualify for a Teacher Loan Forgiveness Forbearance if you meet all the following requirements:

  • You qualify for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.
  • Your loan forgiveness award will satisfy your anticipated outstanding balance of your eligible loans at the end of five years of qualifying service.

Download the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Forbearance Request form (PDF).

Are you trying to align payment among different loan types?

You may qualify for a Grace Forbearance if you want to align payments for a qualifying Federal Consolidation Loan or a Federal Grad PLUS Loan with other federal loans that have a six-month grace period or post-enrollment period.

Contact us for assistance.

Do you have Parent PLUS Loans?

You may qualify for an In-School Forbearance if:

  • You have PLUS Loans for Parents.
  • The student for whom you obtained the PLUS Loans attends a Title IV school at least half time, as defined by his or her school.

Contact us for assistance.

Are you enrolled in an internship or residency program?

You may qualify for a Medical or Dental Internship/Residency Program Forbearance if you:

  • Are accepted into a medical or dental internship/residency program.
  • Are not eligible for or have exhausted all eligibility for deferment based on serving in a medical or dental internship or residency program.

Download the Mandatory Forbearance Request form (PDF).

Are you serving in AmeriCorps?

A National and Community Service Forbearance may be granted if you are serving in a national service position with AmeriCorps.

Apply online at AmeriCorps.

If you're unable to complete the forbearance request online, please contact the AmeriCorps Program Director.