Beginning August 1, federal student loan holders who are enrolled in the SAVE Plan will see interest accrue on their student loans, but payments are still suspended. Eligible borrowers can apply for and recertify under the Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Repayment Plans, as well as Direct Consolidation Loans. Many changes to student loans are expected to take effect July 1, 2026. We will update this page as information becomes available. To learn the latest, go to StudentAid.gov.
The timeframe when part-time students need to begin paying back student loans depends on the types of loans they have. Essentially, if a student meets their college’s requirements for half-time enrollment, they are generally not required to make payments on federal student loans while in school. However, private student loans have their own terms. Depending on the lender, students may be required to make payments on their loan while they are enrolled in school.
Students may be part-time because of their financial situation, caregiver or parental duties, medical issues, or other reasons. Knowing how part-time student loan repayment works can help students budget and plan ahead.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• In general, part-time college students don’t have to pay back student loans while they are enrolled in school at least half time.
• Part-time students with federal student loans will get a six-month grace period after graduating, withdrawing, or dropping below half-time enrollment before they have to repay their loans.
• Borrowers with private student loans who attend college part-time may not get a grace period before they need to start repaying their loans.
• Each private lender has different terms. Some private lenders may require students to repay their loans while in school.
• Methods to repay federal student loans include the standard repayment plan and income-driven repayment plans; private loan borrowers may want to consider refinancing.
What Is a Part-Time College Student?
A part-time college student is someone who is not taking a full course load during any given academic quarter or semester. Individual schools set the standards for what counts as a full- or part-time student, but in general, full-time students may take about 12 credits or four classes at a time.
Part-time students may take anywhere from six to 11 credit hours or two to three classes per academic period.
Students may choose to attend college part-time in order to take care of family obligations, work a day job, or because of other circumstances that don’t allow them to take four classes at one time.
Recommended: Full-time vs. Part-time Students
Repaying Student Loans as a Part-Time Student
Exactly when do part-time students have to pay back student loans? In general, part-time students may not need to pay back their federal student loans while they are attending school as long as they don’t drop below half-time enrollment — or as long as they haven’t graduated.
What does this mean in practicality? If you’re a part-time student and you are taking at least half of the full-load credit hours, you generally won’t need to start paying off your federal student loans until you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment. Federal loans also come with a student loan grace period, meaning you technically won’t be required to make payments for six months after graduating, withdrawing, or dropping below half-time enrollment.
For example, if a full course load at your school is 12 credits, and you’re taking six credits this semester, you are still enrolled at least half-time, and wouldn’t normally be required to start paying back your federal student loans.
If, however, you drop down below half-time enrollment by taking only one three-credit class, you would no longer be attending school at least half-time and may be required to start paying off your federal student loans.
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When Do I Have to Start Paying Back My Student Loans?
If you are a part-time student who graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment, you may not need to start paying back your federal student loans right away. Many new grads, or those entering a repayment period for the first time, are given a six-month grace period, as mentioned above, before they have to start paying federal student loans back.
The exact length of any grace period depends on the type of loan you have and your specific circumstances. For example, Federal Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans all have a standard six-month grace period before payments are due.
Factors That May Influence the Grace Period
If you’re a member of the armed forces and you are called to active duty 30 days or more before your grace period ends, you could delay the six-month grace period until after you return from active duty.
Another situation that could impact your grace period is if you re-enroll in school at least half-time before the end of the grace period. You will receive the full grace period again on your federal student loans when you graduate, withdraw, or drop below part-time enrollment.
This is because, in general, once you start attending school at least half-time again, you’re no longer obligated to start making payments on federal student loans. In this situation, you would still get a grace period after you graduate, even though you may have used part of a grace period while you were attending school less than half-time. Note that most loan types will still accrue interest during the grace period.
You may lose out on any grace period if you consolidate your federal student loans with the federal government during your grace period. In that scenario, you’ll typically need to start paying back your loan once the consolidation is disbursed.
Repayments for Private Student Loans
If you have private student loans, you may not get a grace period before you start paying back your loans. Student loans taken out from private lenders don’t have the same terms and benefits as federal student loans, which means that private student loans may not offer a grace period at all or it may be a different length than the federal grace period.
Some lenders may require students make payments on private student loans while they are enrolled in school. If you have a private loan or are considering a private loan, check with the lender directly to understand the terms for repayment, including whether or not there is a grace period.
How Do I Pay Back My Student Loans?
When it comes to part-time student loan repayment, there are things you can do to make paying back your loans as painless as possible. When you enter loan repayment on a federal student loan, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the Standard Repayment Plan, which requires you to pay off your loan within 10 years.
However, there are currently several other types of federal student loan repayment plans available, including income-driven repayment plans, and it is always worth learning about the different plans so you can make an educated choice.
One thing to be aware of, however, is that as per the U.S. domestic policy bill that was passed in July 2025, there will only be two repayment options in total for borrowers taking out their first loans on or after July 1, 2026: the Standard Repayment Plan, which is a 10-year repayment plan, and the Repayment Assistance Program (RAP). RAP is similar to previous income-driven plans that tie payments to income level and family size.
As mentioned, private student loans have different requirements than federal student loans. Individual lenders will determine the repayment plans available to borrowers.
Recommended: Student Loan Forgiveness Guide
Take a Look at Refinancing
One option you may want to consider is student loan refinancing with a private lender. Refinancing your student loans allows you to combine your federal and/or private student loans into one new, private loan with a new interest rate — ideally, a lower rate — and new terms.
You can use a student loan refi calculator to see how much refinancing might save you.
It’s important to remember, however, that student loan refinancing isn’t right for everyone. If you refinance your federal loans, they will no longer be eligible for any federal benefits or repayment assistance, such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program or income-driven repayment plans.
The Takeaway
Part-time student loans who are enrolled at least half-time, based on the definition at their school, are generally not required to make payments on their federal student loans. Private student loans have terms and conditions that are set by each individual lender, and may require students make payments on their loans while they are enrolled in school.
Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.
FAQ
Do part-time students qualify for federal student loans?
Yes, federal student loans, including federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, are available for part-time students as well as full-time students. To qualify, a student will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to see what they are eligible for.
Because you will be taking fewer classes as a part-time student, you may be offered less than the annual cap of $5,500 for federal loans for first-year dependent undergraduate students. Lenders for private student loans typically allow part-time students and full-time students to borrow up to the total cost of attendance at their school.
When does the grace period begin for part-time students?
The grace period for part-time students with federal student loans who graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment is typically six months.
The exact length of any grace period depends on the type of loan you have. For example, federal Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans have the standard six-month grace period before payments are due. Private student loans may not have a grace period at all. Check with your lender to find out about the specifics for your loan.
Can I defer student loans as a part-time student?
Yes, part-time students can typically defer federal student loans in specific situations. This includes when they are in school at least half-time — their loans are usually put into deferment automatically in this case. Other types of deferment a part-time student might be eligible for include economic hardship deferment and unemployment deferment. Students need to apply for these types of deferment at studentaid.gov.
Are repayment options different for private vs federal loans?
Yes, repayment options are different for private vs. federal student loans. Federal student loans currently offer several different repayment options, including the 10-year Standard Repayment plan and income-driven repayment plans that base monthly payments on your discretionary income and family size.
Private lenders don’t offer the same terms and benefits that federal student loans do. Some private lenders may require students to make payments on their loans while they are enrolled in school. If you have a private loan, check with the lender directly about the terms for repayment.
What happens if I drop from full-time to part-time enrollment?
If you drop from full-time to part-time enrollment in school, it could affect your financial aid award. You may end up with less federal aid. For instance, the annual cap on federal loans for full-time first-year dependent undergraduate students is $5,500. If you become a part-time student you may no longer be eligible for that amount. If you are considering dropping from full-time to part-time enrollment, discuss the idea with your school’s financial aid office to see how your aid might be impacted.
SoFi Student Loan Refinance
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