Federal Direct Student Loans account for hundreds of millions of dollars in student loan debt. There are a number of direct loans deferment programs that allow students to defer payments on their loans under specific circumstances. Students are either granted these deferments automatically or will need to contact the direct loan servicing company in order to receive the deferment.

The most common type of direct loans deferment is for students who are still in school. Any student who is attending an undergraduate or graduate level program at least half time is eligible for a deferment. Students with subsidized loans will not have interest charged on their loans. Students with subsidized and unsubsidized loans will not be required to make payments.

Another option for direct loans deferment is for consumers who are unemployed or experiencing economic hardship. Any borrower who is recently unemployed or has had their income significantly reduced should contact their direct loan servicing company for more information about an economic hardship deferment. These deferments do not require payments to be made to the servicing company. However, these deferment periods are a maximum of 36 months long.

Individuals who enter the national guard or the United States Armed Forces also may qualify for a deferment. Typically, these individuals qualify for a deferment when they are on active duty only. However, circumstances may change depending upon income as well as loan balance. Borrowers should contact their direct loan servicing company to complete the necessary paperwork.

Borrowers who were making payments but returned to school should automatically have their direct student loans deferred. Any borrower that returns to school at least half time and does not see their direct student loans automatically deferred should contact their student loan processing company. These companies will be able to complete the necessary paperwork to help students suspend their payments while they return to school.