If you are in school at least half-time, on active military duty, serving in a public service organization or in a medical residency, you may qualify for a deferment. A deferment is a temporary postponement of your payments.
During deferment, interest continues to accrue. You have the option to pay the interest as it accrues or we will add any unpaid interest to your principal balance at the end of your deferment. This may increase the principal balance of your loan, the amount of your monthly payment and the total cost of your loan.
After you have requested a deferment, please continue making your payments until we notify you that your deferment request has been approved.
Important: If you are experiencing financial difficulties and you are unable to make your student loan payments, we have options to help. To learn more and determine if you qualify, please call our Repayment Assistance Department.
Deferment Types and Eligibility Requirements
There are four types of deferment options for your Discover student loans.
1. In-School Deferment
Unless you elected during the application process to make required payments while you are in school and during your grace period, you qualify for an in-school deferment while you are enrolled at least half-time in a degree program at an eligible school. This includes periods of less than six months between eligible academic terms when you are enrolled at least half-time.
2. Active Military Duty Deferment
To qualify for this deferment, you must be on active military duty or performing qualifying National Guard duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency.
Active Military Duty Deferment begins when you are called to duty and ends on the date your service is certified to end or actually ends, up to 3 years.
To request this deferment, call us at 1-800-STUDENT to process your Active Military Duty Deferment or complete a Private Loan Deferment Request form.
If you have any questions regarding Active Military Duty Deferments, please call us at 1-800-STUDENT anytime 24/7.
3. Public Service Deferment
To qualify for this deferment, you must serve at least six months in a public service organization. Below are some examples of public service organizations. If you have any questions regarding eligible organizations, please call us anytime 24/7.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Peace Corps (ACTION Program and Tax-Exempt Organization Volunteer)
- AmeriCorps
- Red Cross
- US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
- US Department of State (Fulbright Program)
Public Service Deferment ends at the conclusion of your service, up to 3 years.
To request this deferment, you must:
- Complete a Private Loan Deferment Request form.
- Provide a letter from an official of the public service organization certifying your commitment of participation and the expected end date of your service.
4. Residency Deferment
You must be enrolled in a residency program for a health care profession in a hospital or health care facility to qualify.
Residency Deferment ends at the conclusion of the residency program, up to 5 years.
To request this deferment, you must:
- Complete a Private Loan Deferment Request form.
- Provide a letter from an authorized official from the hospital or health care facility certifying your enrollment and the expected end date of your residency program.
Loan Forgiveness is available in the event of the primary borrower's death or permanent disability.
