The U.S. Department of Education's deferments and forbearances — or payment pauses — can help student loan borrowers avoid the harsh consequences of falling behind on their bills, consumer advocates ...

・Starting July 1, 2027, new federal student loan borrowers will no longer qualify for economic hardship or unemployment deferment. ・Forbearance options will be restricted to a maximum of 9 months ...

There’s been a sharp uptick in the number of student loan borrowers hitting the pause button on their monthly bills. The U.S. Department of Education offers two primary ways to postpone your payments ...