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Federal student loan borrowers who are called to active-duty military service may be able to temporarily postpone their student loan payments. Military student loan deferment is available to those with qualifying loans who are on active duty service due to a national emergency, war, or military operation.
Here’s what to know if you need to pause your student loan payments under the federal military loan deferment program.
Key Points
• Military members may be able to postpone their federal student loan payments during or after periods of full-time active duty.
• Members of the National Guard who are on qualifying duty may also apply for military student loan deferment.
• Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program Loans, and Perkins Loans are eligible for federal student loan military deferment.
• Some private student loans might also offer military loan deferment, depending on the lender’s policies.
• The military loan deferment period ends when the borrower returns to school at least half-time, or 13 months after their active duty service ended, plus any grace period — whichever is sooner.
What Is Military Student Loan Deferment?
With federal student loan military deferment, borrowers can pause student loan payments for eligible loans if they get called to serve in active duty.
Depending on a borrower’s situation, they might qualify for student loan deferment options such as Military Service Deferment, Post-Active Duty Student Deferment, or both.
Military Service Deferment
With Military Service Deferment, loan servicers pause repayment on eligible federal student loans while borrowers are on active duty and for a few months afterward.
This military loan deferment typically starts on the date a borrower officially begins their military service. It remains effective until 180 days after they complete their qualifying military service, giving them approximately a six-month grace period before their student loan repayments begin again.
National Guard service members who are on qualifying duty may also apply for Military Service Deferment.
Post-Active Duty Student Deferment
Borrowers can also request Post-Active Duty Student Deferment if they need to postpone their payments for a longer period of time after completing their active-duty assignment. This type of deferment ends when they resume at least half-time enrollment at a qualifying institution, or 13 months after their active duty military service and grace period end — whichever happens first.
Eligibility Requirements for Military Deferment
To qualify for federal student loan military loan deferment, borrowers need to meet specific eligibility requirements, depending on the type of military loan deferment they’re requesting.
• For active-duty military service members: The service call must be for a military operation, national emergency, or period of war. This includes Armed Forces reservists and retired service members who were called to active duty.
• For National Guard service members: They must be called to active duty by the President or Secretary of Defense and the service paid for with federal funds.
Service members with federal student loans must provide documentation to their loan servicer confirming the qualifying military or National Guard service, such as a written statement certification from an authorized official, written letter from a commanding officer, or copy of the military orders.
Time spent in training or attending a military service school does not count as active duty for military student loan deferment.
Military service members with private student loans or refinanced student loans are not eligible for federal loan deferment, but some lenders may offer deferment or forbearance options for borrowers on active duty. Check with your lender to see what may be available.
How Interest Accrues During Military Deferment
The way interest is treated during military deferment depends on the types of federal student loans a borrower has. Interest generally doesn’t accrue on subsidized federal loans, but it can accrue on unsubsidized loans.
If accrued interest is left unpaid, it can capitalize, meaning the interest is added to the balance of the loan. Interest is then charged on the new higher loan balance. Essentially, with student loan capitalization, a borrower may pay interest on their interest.
Military service members who are serving in a hostile area that necessitates special pay will not accrue interest on qualifying Direct Loans. This no-interest benefit is provided for up to 60 months.
Recommended: What Is Student Loan Forbearance?
How to Apply for Military Student Loan Deferment
There are several steps to take when applying for military student loan deferment.
1. Confirm that your duty status and service qualify. Review your military orders or speak to your loan servicer to make sure that your military assignment is eligible for student loan deferment.
2. Fill out the request form. Next, complete and submit the Military Service and Post-Active Duty Student Deferment Request form to your loan servicer. Service members who are requesting Military Service Deferment can appoint a representative to complete and sign the form on their behalf if necessary.
3. Include your service verification documentation. Along with your application, provide a copy of your military orders, or a certified statement from an authorized official or your commanding officer describing your service assignment.
4. Continue making monthly loan payments. To avoid possible student loan default because of non-payment, wait for confirmation from your loan servicer that your deferment request was approved before you stop your monthly payments.
Other Student Loan Benefits for Service Members
Military service members can also access unique student loan benefits that may help them save money over time.
• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) 6.00% interest rate. Under SCRA, military service members can request that pre-existing debt they had before entering military service — including credit cards, mortgage loans, and student loans (both federal and private) — be capped at a 6.00% interest rate under SCRA.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). If you’re a full-time military employee, the government is considered a qualifying employer under PSLF. After meeting all requirements, including making 120 qualifying monthly payments toward your federal loan debt, your remaining balance is forgiven tax-free.
• Military-specific repayment programs. Certain branches of the armed forces offer their own student loan repayment program. For example, the Department of Defense offers loan repayment assistance for all or a portion of an eligible borrower’s student debt in some situations. There is also the Navy Loan Repayment Program for qualifying Navy personnel.
Additionally, there are other military student loan forgiveness programs that service members might be eligible for.
The Takeaway
If a borrower is called to active duty military service, they may be able to pause their federal loan payments while serving and for a period of time after their service ends. This can offer financial relief to military service members with eligible loans.
Ask your loan servicer about federal Military Service Deferment or Post-Active Duty Student Deferment to learn whether you qualify. And if you have private student loans or refinanced loans, check with your lender to see if they offer an option for deferment or forbearance for borrowers in active duty military service.
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
Does military deferment count toward PSLF?
Time spent in military student loan deferment generally doesn’t count toward the qualifying payment requirements under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. That’s because no payments are made on loans while they are in deferment, and PSLF requires 120 qualifying payments.
Can National Guard and Reserve members get military student loan deferment?
Yes, National Guard and Reserve service members, including those in retired status, can apply for military student loan deferment. To qualify, their type of duty and service must meet federal requirements.
What is the SCRA 6% interest rate cap for military members?
The SCRA — Servicemembers Civil Relief Act — lets qualifying service members secure a 6.00% interest rate cap on many debts, including student loans, that they borrowed before enlisting in the military. Service members can request the SCRA 6.00% interest rate cap directly through their creditors by sending them a written request no later than 180 days after their military service ends.
Does military deferment apply to private student loans?
Private student loans are not eligible for federal military student loan deferment. However, some private lenders offer student loan forbearance or deferment options for active-duty service members. Check with your lender.
What happens if my deferment request is denied?
If your military student loan deferment request is denied, you’ll need to continue making monthly payments to avoid loan delinquency or default. Contact your lender to learn why your application was denied and ask if there’s anything you can do to qualify for military student loan deferment. You can also inquire about other types of deferment, forbearance, or military benefits you might qualify for.
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