Deferment vs. Forbearance
Both deferment and forbearance allow borrowers to temporarily pause federal student loan payments during hardship, but they differ in eligibility requirements and, often, whether interest continues to accrue.
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Deferment
A temporary pause in required payments available for specific, defined circumstances, such as unemployment or economic hardship, with some loan types not accruing interest during the deferment period.
- Some federal loan types don't accrue interest during an eligible deferment period
- Available for specific, well-defined qualifying circumstances
- Requires meeting specific eligibility criteria to qualify
- Not available for every loan type or circumstance
Forbearance
A temporary pause or reduction in payments, generally more broadly available than deferment but with interest typically continuing to accrue on all loan types during the forbearance period.
- Generally easier to qualify for than deferment, with broader eligibility
- Provides payment relief even outside deferment's specific qualifying circumstances
- Interest generally continues accruing during forbearance, increasing the total balance
- Extended use can meaningfully increase total interest paid over the life of the loan
Which one makes sense for you?
Deferment is generally the more favorable option when eligible, since certain loan types don't accrue interest during the pause. Forbearance is more broadly accessible but typically allows interest to continue accruing, which can meaningfully increase the total balance owed if used for an extended period.
Key cost factors.
- Whether the specific circumstances qualify for deferment or only forbearance
- Loan type, which affects whether interest accrues during deferment
- How long payment relief is likely to be needed
- Long-term cost impact of accruing interest during either pause
Before you decide.
- Do my specific circumstances qualify for deferment, or only the more broadly available forbearance?
- Will interest accrue on my specific loan type during either option?
- How much would my balance grow if I needed an extended pause under forbearance?
Frequently asked questions.
Is deferment or forbearance better for a short-term financial gap?
If eligible for deferment on a loan type that doesn't accrue interest, that's typically the more cost-effective choice; forbearance remains a broader fallback option when deferment eligibility criteria aren't met.
All figures on this page are illustrative examples for general education, not quotes, appraisals, or guarantees of actual pricing. Actual costs vary by provider, location, project scope, and market conditions — always get a specific quote before making a purchasing decision.
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