How to Qualify for a Student Loan Deferment if I Live in Another Country

If you accepted a federal student loan to help you pay for your college education, you must begin repayment on the loan after you have been out of school for six months unless you qualify for a deferment or forbearance. If your request for a deferment is approved, you will not be required to make your monthly student loan payments for the duration of the deferment. Unlike a forbearance, during a deferment, interest does not accrue on your loans. Living outside the United States does not affect your eligibility for a deferment as long as you meet the other requirements.

Instructions

1

Locate your student loans through the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Before you request a deferment you should know how many loans you need to defer, and their amounts. The NSLDS can provide information for all your student loans. You will need your PIN. If you do not remember your PIN, or never had one, you can retrieve it or apply for one through the PIN website.

2

Navigate to the Federal Student Aid deferment forms website. Read the list of deferment options to find the one that best fits your situation.

3

Select the deferment form that best reflects your reason for requesting a deferment. There are a number of reasons for which a deferment may be granted. Common reasons, and corresponding forms, include being enrolled in school at least half-time, being unemployed or suffering an economic hardship.

4

Download the appropriate form and complete it. Read the instructions carefully, as all deferments require supporting documents when submitted. The documents you must submit will depend on the type of deferment you are requesting; however, in all cases the form will tell you which forms you need to submit.

5

Submit the forms and supporting documents to the Direct Loan Servicing Center at the address indicated on the form.