Table of Contents
Overview
General Forbearance
Mandatory Forbearance
Private Loan Forbearance
Pros and Pros and
Alternatives
The Bottom Line
Student Loans, Loans and Loans
Student Loan Forbearance: Advantages and Pros and
It’s a temporary, but not long-term option when funds are squeezed
By Jim Probasco
Updated November 29, 2022
Reviewed by Ebony Howard
The factual information was verified by Suzanne Kvilhaug.
Student loan forbearance allows you to reduce or suspend your student loan payments temporarily, typically for 12 months or less during times of financial stress. Forbearance may not be as beneficial as deferment, which means that you might not be required to pay the interest accruing during the deferment time period for certain kinds of loans.1 Forbearance means that you are always responsible for the interest accrued after the period of forbearance is over.2
It is important to note that all federal student loan collections and payments have been suspended. The date for expiration of this relief was originally Dec. 31, 2022–and the interest rate set at 0 0.5% due to the financial implications of the economy crisis.34 This Department of Education has again extended the pause on federal student loan payments as a response to a court order blocking the White House’s student loan forgiveness program. Student loan payments are suspended until the earlier of these two dates:
60 days following the time that the department is allowed to implement the forgiveness program, or after the litigation is resolved; or
60 days after June 30, 2023.
However, during periods of times that loans are being taken out, there are pros and cons of halting your payments. This article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages are.
Important Takeaways
Federal student loan collection and payments are being halted by President Biden from now until 60 days after June 30 2023 (or 60 days following the time that pending lawsuits against the forgiveness program has been settled, whichever comes first).
In times when loans are being paid, there are arguments for and against the reasons you may want to pause your payments.
Forbearance can be used for short-term (typically 12-month) relief only. This isn’t a solution for the long term.
Deferment or an income-driven repayment (IDR) plans are superior over forbearance.
Forbearance on federal student loans can be obtained in two forms: general and mandatory.
You are required to continue making payment on student loans until your forbearance application is approved to stay out of the possibility of default.
To lower costs, ensure that you pay interest when it is accruing while your loan remains in forbearance..
Student Loan Forbearance: An Overview
For all student loan abstention, the charges on the loan will continue to accrue throughout the deferral period . It is typically capitalized (added to the loan amount owed) at the end of the deferral period unless that you make the payment at the time it accrues.2
Perkins loans are an exception to the capitalization rule. In a Perkins loan you pay interest that is earned during the deferral period however it isn’t capitalized. Instead, it’s added to the balance of the interest (not the principal) at the time of repayment until you are able to pay it as it accrues. (Although there was a halt to the state offering Perkins loans in 2017, many people are still paying back the money they borrowed with these loans. )56
Federal student loan forbearance typically lasts for 12 months at a time and can be renewed for up to three years. The conditions and the amount of payments for some forms of federal student loan forbearance are mandated by the law. In other cases, the loan servicer has discretion.2
The private student loan forbearance typically is granted for a period of up to 12 months, but lenders rarely provide renewal. The terms and conditions for private loan forbearance are up to the lender.
If you are in the process of defaulting on your student loans, you are not qualified for any of the strategies discussed in this article.7
General Federal Student Loan Forbearance
If you’re having trouble making your payments on direct or FFEL loans and you aren’t eligible for deferment, you can apply for a general forgiveness of one to twelve months by your loan servicer.2
If your financial problems continue then you may request an extension of your general forbearance period of up to 12 months, and another 12 months after this, for a period of three years. The loan servicer, however, may determine a maximum duration that is based on the individual for direct or FFEL loans.2
General forbearance is at the sole discretion of your loan servicer and is generally granted to cover unexpected health expenses, unemployment or any other financial issue that prevents you from making loan payments. You may request an general forbearance through making use of the online form or by calling your loan servicer and requesting a forbearance over the phone.2
Federal Student Loan Forbearance Mandatory
In contrast to a general forbearance that is subject to the sole discretion of your loan servicing company, it is mandatory that you must get a mandated forbearance if you meet the criteria and request it. The majority of mandatory forbearances use the same form, Mandatory Forbearance request: SERV There is a separate form for Teacher Loan Forgiveness as well as the AmeriCorps.
Participation in a medical or dental residency or internship (direct and FFEL loans for only)
Total student loan payments that are 20% or more of your monthly gross income (direct, FFEL, and Perkins loans)
Service in the AmeriCorps (direct or FFEL loans only)
Requirements for Teacher Loan Forgiveness (direct and FFEL loans just)
The eligibility criteria for partial repayment of student loans under 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 allow for a military deferment (direct and FFEL loans only)2
Private Student Loan Forbearance
The options for forgiveness for private student loans will vary by lender, but they are generally less flexible than the options available on federal loans.
A lot of private lenders offer the option of forbearance when you are at school or taking part in an internship or medical residency. Some let you make interest-only payments while in the school. In-school forgiveness typically has limitations on time that could cause issues if you wait for more than four years to complete your degree. Some lenders offer a six-month grace time following the time you graduate.
Certain private lenders offer forbearance to those who aren’t employed or are having difficulty making payments after you graduate. The majority of times, they grant forbearance to you for a period of up to two months each time , but less than 12 months in total. There could be an additional fee for each month you are in forbearance.
Other types of forbearance are often offered to active-duty military members or if you have been affected by a natural disaster. For any private loans, interest accrues during the period of forbearance, and it is capitalized until you pay it off as it is accrued.
Pros and Pros and
As with other financial instruments such as student loan forbearance is not without advantages as well as disadvantages. If your choice is between forbearance and garnishment of wages or the loss of an income tax refund as an example, forbearance may be an option that is more beneficial both financially and in terms of the impact it will have on your credit.8
It is important to note that the accrued interest in deferment should be less expensive than the interest you would pay when taking out an individual loan or, perhaps, more importantly the payday loan. However, the fact that interest accrued is capitalized means you will pay more over the life that of the loan than if you were able to avoid forbearance.
Pros
Better than default or garnishment
Lower interest than payday or personal loan
Frees you to pay critical expenses
Does not affect your credit score.
Cons
Not a long-term solution
Interest accrued on capital is expensive
Repetition of renewals could lead to loan default
Paying late or not on time can hurt your credit score
Forbearance provides temporary breathing room that allows you to pay for the essential costs, like utilities and housing however, it could be expensive If you decide to utilize it for a long-term plan by constantly updating your situation. It could lead to loan default or even more than that, and also the possibility of serious harm to your credit score.
While forbearance is noted on your credit report, it does not mean a lower credit score unless you’ve made late or missed payments.8 To avoid complications and excessive expenses that arise from and following forbearance, keep making payments as your application is processed, get out of forbearance as soon as you are financially capable of it, and, if you are able pay interest in the time they accrue.
The American Rescue Plan passed by Congress and signed by president Biden at the beginning of March in 2021 has the provision that student loan forgiveness issued between January. 1, 2021, between Jan. 1, 2021, and December. 31, 2025, will not be taxable to the recipient.9
Alternatives to Forbearance
Before applying for forbearance, and based on the kind of loan(s) you have you must 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 qualify for deferment and have subsidized federal loans and accrued interest over the course of time of deferral is paid to the federal government. All you be liable for at the conclusion of deferment is the original loan amount.1
Unsubsidized federal loan deferment as well as Private loan deferment are treated in the same way as forbearance. This means that interest is accrued and capitalized at the end of the deferral period in addition to the amount you owe.1
IDR Plans for federal student loans come in four types: revised Plan for Pay as You Earn Repayment (REPAYE) Plan Pay As You Earn Repayment (PAYE) Plan as well as Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan and the income-based contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan.10
They are typically a percentage of your income discretionary and can be as little as $0 per month. One disadvantage is that because repayment typically takes longer, you will be paying more interest over the course of your loan. One possible benefit is that in the event that your loan is not totally repaid by the time the period of repayment is over–20 to 25 years–any remaining balance will be forgiven. Visit Federal Student Aid to learn more about the program and submit an online request for an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.10
The Bottom Line
Student loan forbearance is usually a last resort, not a primary option. Use it if you need temporary relief and don’t qualify for deferment. For long-term problems, consider an income-driven repayment (IDR) option instead. If possible take care to pay interest as it accumulates so that you don’t have to pay interest on interest when you return to repayment. If you do begin to experience financial trouble discuss with your loan servicer to discuss the various options for repayment.
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Part Of
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Student Loan Forgiveness by State
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