Table of Contents
Overview
General Forbearance
Mandatory Forbearance
Private Loan Forbearance
Pros and Pros and
Alternatives
The Bottom Line
Loans Student Loans
The Student Loan Repayment Program: Pros and Cons
It’s only a temporary, not long-term solution for those whose finances are tight
By Jim Probasco
Updated November 29 2022
Review by Ebony Howard
Fact checked by Suzanne Kvilhaug
Student loan forbearance is a way to lower or suspend your student loan payments temporarily, typically for a shorter period of time, usually 12 months or less during periods of financial stress. Forbearance may not be as beneficial as deferment, in which you might not be required to pay interest during the deferment period on certain types of loans.1 With forbearance, you are always responsible for the interest accrued after the forbearance period is over.2
Be aware that the federal student loan payments and collections have been suspended. The date for expiration for this relief came originally December. 31, 2022–and the interest rate was set at zero percent due to the financial implications of the recession. crisis.34 This Department of Education has again extended the pause in Federal student loan payments as a response to a federal court order blocking the White House’s student loan forgiveness program. Students loan payments are suspended until the later of these two dates:
60 days after the department is allowed to begin the forgiveness program, or after the litigation is resolved; or
60 days after June 30, 2023.
But, during time where loans are being paid there are pros and cons to pausing the payment process. This article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages are.
Key Takeaways
Federal student loan payments and collections are being halted by President Biden from now until 60 days following June 30, 2023 (or 60 days after the pending lawsuits regarding the forgiveness program is settled, whichever comes first).
In times when loans are being collected There are arguments in favor and against the reasons you may want to pause your payments.
Forbearance is for temporary (typically twelve months) relief only. The program is not intended to be a solution for the long term.
A deferment or an income-driven payment (IDR) plans are superior over forbearance.
Forbearance for federal student loans takes two forms–general and mandatory.
You are required to continue making repayments on student loans until the forbearance application is approved to keep from the possibility of default.
To reduce costs, you can try to pay interest as it accumulates during the time the loan remains in forbearance..
Student Loan Forbearance: An Overview
With all student loan forgiveness, the you will be charged interest for your loan continues to accrue during the deferral period and is usually capitalized (added to the loan amount due) at the end of the deferral period unless you pay the interest at the time it accrues.2
Perkins loans are an exception to the capitalization rule. When you take out Perkins loans, unlike other loans, Perkins loan you pay interest that is accrued during the deferral time but is not capitalized. Instead it is added to your balance of the interest (not that of the principal) when you pay it back unless you pay it as it accrues. (Although the government stopped providing Perkins loans in the year 2017 however, many are still repaying what they borrowed from these loans. )56
Federal student loan forbearance is typically granted over 12 consecutive months time and is able to be renewed for up to 3 years. Conditions and payment amounts for some types of student loan forbearance are mandated by law. In other instances the loan servicer is in discretion.2
The private student loan forbearance is typically granted for 12 months, however lenders are not often able to offer renewal. The conditions and amount of private loan forbearance is up to the lender.
If you are in default on your student loans then you aren’t in a position to benefit from any of the strategies described in this article.7
General Federal Student Loan Forbearance
If you are having trouble paying your direct or FFEL loans and aren’t eligible to defer, you may apply for a general forgiveness of up to 12 months from your loan servicer.2
If you are still struggling financially, you can request an extension of the general forbearance period up to 12 months, and another 12 months after that, for a cumulative total of 3 years. Your loan servicer, however, may set a maximum period that is based on the individual for direct or FFEL loans.2
General forbearance is granted at the sole discretion of your loan servicer and is generally granted to cover unexpected medical bills, unemployment, or any other financial issue that prevents you from making loan payments. You may request a general forbearance by filling out the form online or calling your loan servicer to request to be granted a forbearance by phone.2
Federal Student Loan Forbearance is a requirement of the Federal Government.
As opposed to a general or general forbearance that is subject to the decision of the loan servicing company, it is mandatory that you have to receive a compulsory forbearance when you qualify and request it. The majority of mandatory forbearances use similar forms, such as Mandatory forbearance Request: SERV However, there is a separate form for teacher loan forgiveness and AmeriCorps.
Participation in a dental or medical residency or internship (direct and FFEL loans for only)
The total amount of student loan payments that are 20% or more of your income per month (direct, FFEL, and Perkins loans)
Service in the AmeriCorps (direct and FFEL loans just)
Requirements for Teacher Loan Forgiveness (direct as well as FFEL loans just)
The eligibility criteria for partial repayment for your college loans through the U.S. Department of Defense Student Loan Repayment Program (direct and FFEL loans only)
Inactive service in the National Guard when it doesn’t provide for a military deferment (direct and FFEL loans only)2
Private Student Loan Forbearance
Your forbearance options with private student loans differ depending on the lender however, they tend to be less flexible than the options available for federal loans.
Many lenders provide a forbearance option during the time you’re in college or completing an internship or medical residency. Some let you make interest-only payments while in the school. Forbearance in school typically comes with a time limit that could cause problems if you take longer than four years before you graduate. Some lenders also offer a six-month grace time after the time you graduate.
Some lenders will grant forbearance in the event that you are not employed or have difficulty making payments after you graduate. Typically, these are granted for 2 months in a time , but less than 12 months in total. There may be an additional cost for each month you’re in forbearance.
Other types of forbearance can be granted for active-duty military service or if you have suffered the effects of the effects of a natural disaster. With all private loans, interest accrues during forbearance and is capitalized unless you pay it as it accumulates.
Pros and Pros and
As with many financial instruments that are available, student loan forbearance has both advantages as well as disadvantages. If you have to choose between forbearance and garnishment of wages or the loss of an income tax refund, for instance, forbearance could be a better option, both financially and in terms of the impact it will have on your credit.8
It is important to note that the the interest you pay during deferment will likely be less expensive than the rate that you pay for taking out a personal loan or, worse still or a payday loan. However, the fact that accrued interest is capitalized means you will have to pay more over the course of the loan than had you been able to not be able to forbear.
Pros
Better than default or garnishment
Lower interest than payday or personal loan
Allows you to pay for critical expenses
Does not affect your credit score.
Cons
Not a long-term solution
The capitalization of accrued interest can be expensive
A repeating renewal could lead to loan default
Payments that are late or missed can affect your credit score
Forbearance provides temporary breathing room to help you pay essential expenses, like utilities and housing, but it can be very costly if you try to use it as a long-term solution by constantly updating your situation. It could lead to loan default, or even worse than that, and also the possibility of serious harm to your credit score.
While forbearance is noted on your credit reports, it does not mean a lower credit score unless you have late or missed payments.8 To avoid any complications or excessive expenses that arise from and following forbearance, continue to make payments while your application is being considered, then end your forbearance when you are financially capable of it, and, if possible, make interest payments in the time they accrue.
The American Rescue Plan passed by Congress and approved by president Biden at the beginning of March in 2021 has the provision that student loan forgiveness issued between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31st, 2025 is not tax-deductible to the recipient.9
Alternatives to Forbearance
Before applying for forbearance, and depending on the type of loan(s) you are requesting it is recommended to look at two options: deferment and income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.
Deferment, like forbearance, lets you pause payments temporarily–typically up to three years. If you are eligible for deferment and you have subsidized federal loans the interest accrued during deferral will be paid by the federal government. All you will have to pay at the end of the deferral is the original loan amount.1
Federal loan deferment and privately loan deferment is treated in the same way as forbearance. That means that interest is accrued and accrued at the conclusion of the deferral period, increasing the amount you owe.1
IDR programs for Federal student loans are available in four forms: Revised Pay As You Earn Repayment (REPAYE) Plan, Pay as You Earn Repayment (PAYE) Plan, Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan and the an Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan.10
The amount you pay for loans is usually made up of your income discretionary and can be as low as $0 per month. The drawback is that, since the process of repaying your loan is typically longer, you’ll have to pay more in interest over the duration of the loan. One possible benefit is that in the event that your loan is not completely paid by the date of the end of the repayment period – 20 to 25 years, any balance will be paid off. Visit the Federal Student Aid to learn more and make your request online for an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan.10
The Bottom Line
Student loan forbearance is usually only a last resort and is not a primary option. It is a good option if you require some relief for a short period but aren’t eligible for deferment. For long-term problems, consider an income-driven repayment (IDR) option instead. If you are able, pay the interest as it accumulates so that you don’t have to pay fees on the amount of interest you pay when you do start the repayment. If you do encounter financial problems Talk to your loan servicer to discuss the various options for repayment.
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Part Of
How to Pay off Your Student Loans
How to Pay Off Your Student Loans
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Student Loan Debt: 2022 Statistics and Perspective
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Definition of Interest Deduction on Student Loans and how to claim it
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The Most Common Student Loan Scams and how to avoid them
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Save for a Down Payment or to pay off student loans?
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In Retirement With Student loans
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Happy Graduation! You Student Loan Grace Period for Payback Is Only 6 Months
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The 6 Worst Student Loan Faults You Could Make
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Can student loans be amortized?
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The Student Loan Repayment Option: What’s the Most Effective Way to Pay?
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What is the best way to consolidate student loans?
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What is a student loan deferment? Who is eligible and how to get it
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In the case of student loan forgiveness: Pros and Cons
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Best Student Loan Refinance Companies
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How to Repay a Perkins Loan
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Ten Tips to Manage Your Student Credit
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What Is Student Loan Forgiveness? What is it, and how does it work. Discharge
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Teacher Loan Repayment for Students
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Student Loan Forgiveness through State
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Student Loan Help Affordable and Free Solutions for Loans that are out of control
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How to File for Student Loan Bankruptcy
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Direct Consolidation Loans Definition
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Related Terms
Default: What It Means What does it mean, what happens when you Default, Examples
A default happens when a borrower fails to make required payments on a debt, either of interest or principal.
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Hardship Failure
The term “hardship default” refers to the situation when you’re unable to pay with your credit cards. Learn what hardship default is what it is, how it happens, and how to avoid it.
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What is Student Loan Forgiveness? What is it, and how does it work. Discharge
Student loan forgiveness is a release from having to repay the amount borrowed, either in whole or in part. This is how to receive student loans to be forgiven.
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Forbearance Definition, Who Qualifies, Examples and FAQs
Forbearance is a type of repayment relief that involves the temporary delay of loan payments, typically for student loans.
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Definition of Student Debt
Student debt refers to loans that are used to cover college tuition and fees that are due when the student is finished with or has left school.
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Direct Consolidation Definition of a Loan
A direct consolidation loan is a kind of direct loan that consolidates the federal educational loans into a single loan.
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