Deferment

There are many types of deferment, each with its own eligibility requirements. Contact your loan servicer(s) to discuss your deferment options.

Common types of deferment:

• Unemployment Deferment
• Economic Hardship Deferment
• In-School Deferment
• Military Service Deferment

If you are currently unemployed or underemployed, you may qualify for an Unemployment Deferment. Any of the following conditions may help you qualify:

• Complete unemployment
• Temporary employment that does not last more than 90 consecutive days

You must be actively seeking employment when you apply to qualify, and you must reapply every six months. The length of an Unemployment Deferment depends on the loan program (FFEL or Direct) and when your loan was made.

For FFELP borrowers

• If your first loan was made before July 1, 1993, the maximum cumulative is 24 months.
• If you did not have an outstanding balance on a FFELP loan that was first disbursed before July 1, 1993 when you obtained a FFELP loan on or after July 1, 1993, the maximum cumulative is 36 months.

For Direct Loan borrowers the maximum cumulative is 36 months.

To apply, contact your loan servicer(s). If you need additional assistance, contact Solutions at ECMC for help completing the Unemployment Deferment Request.

If you are experiencing economic hardship, you may qualify for this deferment. There is a 36-month limitation on Economic Hardship Deferments, and you must reapply every 12 months.

To apply, contact your loan servicer(s). If you need additional assistance, contact Solutions at ECMC for help completing the Economic Hardship Deferment Request.

You can defer your loan(s) if you are enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school. Your school must provide verification of enrollment to your loan servicer(s). An In-School Deferment may be automatically granted based on enrollment data from the school, but you should confirm that with your loan servicer(s) first.

There is no time limit for In-School Deferments for eligible students. To apply, contact your loan servicer(s). If you need additional assistance, contact Solutions at ECMC for help completing the In-School Deferment Request.

This deferment is available if you are serving on active duty in the U.S. Military or National Guard, during a war or other military operation, or during a national emergency. There is no time limit for military service deferments.

To apply, contact your loan servicer(s). If you need additional assistance, contact Solutions at ECMC for help completing the Military Service Deferment Request.