PLUS Loan Deferment

A deferment is a temporary postponement of your regular monthly payment. However, you must continue to pay interest on the loan. There are a variety of situations that qualify for a deferment of your PLUS loan.


In-school Deferment Requirements:

  • Your school must certify the enrollment period(s).
  • The parent who obtained a PLUS loan is eligible for the in-school deferment if they are enrolled full-time. The deferment cannot be obtained based on the student's enrollment. (Loans obtained after 7/1/93.)

Economic Hardship Deferment Requirements:

  • Have been granted an Economic Hardship Deferment under the Federal Direct or Federal Perkins Loan programs; or
  • Be receiving public assistance payments. (Examples: Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Supplemental Security Income, Food Stamps, or state general public assistance); or
  • Be working at least 30 hours per week and have federal education loan payments that equal or exceed 20% of your monthly income. In addition, when you subtract your federal education loan payments, your remaining monthly income must fall at or below 220% of the minimum wage or the poverty line, whichever is greater; or
  • Be working at least 30 hours per week and earning no more than minimum wage or the poverty line for a family of two whichever is greater; or
  • Be working LESS than 30 hours per week and earning no more than twice the minimum wage or the poverty line amount whichever is greater. In addition, when you subtract your federal education loan payments, your remaining monthly income must fall below the minimum wage or poverty line; or
  • Be serving as a Peace Corps volunteer now or in the future.
    You may obtain this deferment for a maximum of three years; this deferment is granted in 12-month increments.

Unemployment Deferment Requirements:

  • Be actively seeking full-time employment in the U.S. in any field and at any salary or responsibility level.
  • Be registered with a private or public employment agency if there is one within 50 miles of your permanent or temporary address.
  • Re-apply every six months.


If you obtained your FIRST loan before 7/1/1993, you are eligible for a maximum of two years of Unemployment Deferment. If you obtained your FIRST loan on or after 7/1/1993, you are eligible for a maximum of three years of Unemployment Deferment.

Rehabilitation Training Deferment Requirements:

  • The program must be licensed, approved, certified or recognized as providing rehabilitation training to qualified individuals by a state agency responsible for vocational rehabilitation, drug abuse treatment, mental health services, or alcohol abuse treatment programs, or by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • The rehabilitation program must provide services under a written, individualized plan that specifies the date services are expected to end and is structured in a way that requires substantial commitment to achieve rehabilitation.
If you are still paying on a PLUS loan that was obtained before 1993, there are other potential deferments available. Go to www.studentaid.ed.gov for additional information.