Fill Out Military Service Deferment Request Online

What these deferments are used for

The military service deferment begins on the date qualifying service began, unless you request a later date, and ends 180 days after the service is completed. Qualifying service includes reserve and retired members called to active duty, full-time National Guard duty authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense, and members reassigned to a different duty station, in each case in connection with a war, contingency operation, or national emergency.

The post-active duty student deferment is for borrowers who were enrolled at least half time when called to active duty, or within six months before. It runs until you resume at least half-time enrollment or until 13 months after your service and any grace period end, whichever comes first. If you receive both deferments, the combined benefit tops out at 13 months after service completion.

Who should use this form

Service members with federal student loans, including National Guard members activated for qualifying duty, and recently demobilized members returning to school. A helpful feature for deployed borrowers: a representative, such as a family member, may complete and sign the form on your behalf for the military service deferment only. The post-active duty deferment must be signed by the borrower personally.

National Guard members on state-funded active duty who qualify for the post-active duty deferment but not the military service deferment can ask their loan holder for a forbearance covering the active duty period itself.

How to fill out the form

Work through the form in this order:

• Section 1: your identifying and contact information
• Section 2: check the box for the military service deferment, the post-active duty student deferment, or both; for the post-active duty deferment, list the school where you were enrolled and the date you were last enrolled at least half time
• Section 3: the understandings and certifications, signed by you, or by your representative for a military service deferment only, with the representative's name, relationship, and address
• Section 4: certification of the qualifying service dates and duty type by an authorized official of your military branch or National Guard component, or attach a written statement from your commanding or personnel officer or a copy of your military orders

How to submit it

Send the completed form and any supporting documents to the address shown in Section 8 of your copy; if no address is printed, return it to your loan servicer. Only the first four pages need to be submitted, and separate requests go to each loan holder if your loans are held in more than one place.

Interest treatment follows the usual deferment rules: subsidized loans carry no interest charge to you during the deferment, unsubsidized loans keep accruing, and Perkins Loans add a six month post-deferment grace period.