If you can't afford your student loan payments right now, you have options. Student loan forbearance allows you to temporarily stop making payments on your federal student loans or reduce your monthly payment amount. Interest continues to accrue during forbearance, so it's important to understand how it works, and whether alternatives like deferment or an income-driven repayment plan might be a better fit.
Assess your current situation
Whether you're between jobs, facing unexpected expenses or struggling to keep up with monthly bills, you may qualify for student loan forbearance. Whatever the reason for your financial challenges, you might qualify for student loan forbearance.
Wondering if forbearance is right for you? Understanding your options is a good place to start.
Types of forbearance for federal student loans
There are two types of federal student loan forbearance: general forbearance and mandatory forbearance.
General, or discretionary, forbearance is when your student loan servicer has the discretion to decide whether to grant you forbearance. You may request general student loan forbearance if you're temporarily unable to make your payments because of certain financial difficulties. All federal loans, including Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) and Perkins Loans, are eligible for general forbearance.
General forbearance may be granted for up to 12 months at a time. If you're still experiencing financial difficulty when your forbearance ends, you may be able to request another forbearance. However, federal student loan rules are changing. Beginning July 1, 2027, general forbearance for certain new federal loans will be limited to 9 months within any 24-month period. Perkins Loans remain subject to a cumulative three-year general forbearance limit.
Mandatory forbearance must be approved if your request meets the requirements. Mandatory forbearances can be granted for up to 12 months at a time, but you may request another forbearance period if you're still eligible after that period expires.
Eligibility for student loan forbearance
Eligibility depends on the type of forbearance. For general forbearance, student loan borrowers may request it if they're experiencing:
- Financial challenges
- Medical expenses
- A job change
- Other reasons that your loan servicer approves
For mandatory forbearance, you may be eligible if:
- You're in a medical or dental internship or residency (only for Direct and FFEL loans)
- The total you owe for all your student loans is 20% or more of your gross monthly income
- You're serving in AmeriCorps
- You're teaching in a job that makes you eligible for teacher loan forgiveness
- You qualify for partial repayment of your loans via the U.S. Department of Defense Student Loans Repayment Program
- You're a member of the National Guard and have been called up by a governor
How to apply for student loan forbearance
If you're interested in requesting student loan forbearance, you'll need to show that you meet the eligibility requirements.
General forbearance requires one form; mandatory forbearance requires a form specific to your situation.
If you're requesting a general forbearance, you'll then have to wait to hear back from your student loan servicer to see if they will approve your request. While you're waiting for approval of either type of forbearance, you should still make loan payments to avoid delinquency and the risk of student loan default.
How forbearance affects your loan interest
During forbearance, your principal balance payments may decrease or stop, but interest continues to accumulate. The longer your loans are in forbearance, the more your total balance may increase, so you might consider making interest-only payments.
What are the alternatives to forbearance?
Deferment
An alternative to student loan forbearance is deferment, during which you may not have to pay interest on subsidized loans. Deferment may be available if you're in school, unemployed, receiving cancer treatment, serving in the military or meet other eligibility requirements.
Rules are changing for some borrowers, so check Federal Student Aid for current guidance on which deferment options may be available for your loans.
Income-driven repayment
Another alternative to forbearance may be an income-driven student loan repayment plan. These plans base payments on your income and family size, but federal repayment rules are changing under the Working Families Tax Cut Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, borrowers generally choose between a tiered Standard plan and the new Repayment Assistance Plan. Some existing repayment plans are being phased out over time, so check Federal Student Aid or contact your loan servicer before choosing a repayment option.
Private student loans
If you're struggling to repay your federal student loan balance, you might consider refinancing them with a private lender.† If your income and credit score have improved since you first took out your loans, you may be able to reduce your interest rate, save money over the life of the loan or possibly reduce your monthly payment.
When you refinance federal student loans with a private lender, you may lose the protections and programs that federal government loans offer, including the potential to apply for income-driven repayment plans or access student loan forgiveness program.†
Frequently asked questions
Does student loan forbearance affect your credit score?
While your student loan forbearance will be cited on your credit report, it should not affect your credit score. However, if you're late making payments prior to getting your forbearance approved, your score may be affected.
Do private student loans offer forbearance?
Federal student loan forbearance applies to federal loans. Some private lenders offer hardship relief, deferment or forbearance options.
For example, some lenders may allow you to pause payments while you're completing a medical residency or internship, returning to school or experiencing financial hardship. Check with your lender to understand what options may be available and whether interest will continue to accrue during the relief period.
Looking for student loan payment options?
If you're struggling to make your student loan payments each month, we may be able to help. Get more information about student loan refinancing† and student lending.†