Should I pay loans during deferment?

Asked by: Prof. Otho Jast  |  Last update: July 5, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (53 votes)

Federal Student Loan Deferment You don't have to pay interest on the loan during deferment if you have a subsidized loan. If you have an unsubsidized loan, you're still responsible for the interest during deferment.

Should I pay loans in deferment?

You can still make payments during a deferment, so you'll still be able to make progress on your loan if you want to. The benefit of deferring is that if you get hit with a big expense (car breaks down, medical bills, etc.), then you can pay those and not have to worry about loan payments hanging over your head.

Should I make loan payments during forbearance?

During forbearance, SAVE borrowers will not have to make payments. The time in forbearance will not count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness or income-driven repayment (IDR) loan forgiveness. SAVE borrowers will not accrue interest on their loans during the forbearance.

What are the disadvantages of deferment?

One of the primary disadvantages of loan deferment is the accrual of interest on certain types of loans. For unsubsidized loans, interest continues to accrue during the deferment period.

What are the downsides to deferring a loan payment?

"If interest continues to grow on your loans during deferment, it will increase your total borrowing costs," says Kayikchyan. How much interest a lender charges you during the deferral period depends on several factors, like your annual percentage rate, your outstanding balance and how long your deferment lasts.

Why Pay Off My Student Loans Right Now If They Are In Deferment?

20 related questions found

Does deferring loans hurt credit?

No, deferred payments generally won't directly hurt your credit. When a creditor defers your payments, it can report your account's new status to the credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.

What is payment deferment risk?

Deferred payment plans can be highly beneficial for borrowers. However, they also bring on a level of risk. Borrowers may overestimate their ability to pay back a loan over time or unforeseen circumstances may bring about a tough time repaying a loan.

How long can you keep your loans in deferment?

You may be eligible for this deferment if you receive unemployment benefits or you are seeking and unable to find full-time employment. You can receive this deferment for up to three years.

Are deferred payments a good idea?

Key takeaways

Deferred interest offers can be beneficial for making large purchases if the balance is paid off in full before the promotional period ends, but they can also be risky and result in high interest charges if the balance is not paid off in time.

What are the consequences of deferment?

In most cases, interest will accrue during your period of deferment or forbearance. This means your balance will increase and you'll pay more over the life of your loan. If you're pursuing loan forgiveness, any period of deferment or forbearance may not count toward your forgiveness requirements.

Which is better deferment or forbearance?

Both deferment and forbearance allow you to temporarily postpone or reduce your federal student loan payments. The difference has to do with interest accrual (accumulation). During a deferment, interest doesn't accrue on some types of Direct Loans. During a forbearance, interest accrues on all types of Direct Loans.

Does a forbearance hurt your credit?

Loan forbearance can impact your credit depending on how lenders report relief payments to credit bureaus. If payments are reported as delinquent, forbearance may harm your credit. However, many types of forbearance shouldn't hurt your credit.

What are the negatives of forbearance?

Cons of Mortgage Forbearance

Once the period is over, you're responsible for paying this amount. Potential for future financial strain. Forbearance can take some pressure off now, but homeowners whose financial situation doesn't improve by the time the forbearance period ends could find themselves even deeper in debt.

Can I make payments while in forbearance?

Yes. While your federal student loans are in forbearance or stopped collections, you are not required to pay your loans. However, you are allowed to make payments on any of your loans that are in forbearance or stopped collections, including payments for accrued interest.

Why is deferment a better choice?

Because interest does not accrue on subsidized loan balances, putting student loans in deferment is often a better choice if you meet the eligibility criteria. However, unless you're going back to college or a vocational school—or meet one of the other specific qualifications—deferment may not be an option.

Can you make payments on a deferred loan?

With a loan deferment, you can temporarily stop making payments. With a loan forbearance, you can stop making payments or reduce your monthly payments for up to 12 months.

What is the disadvantage of deferment?

Disadvantages of a Deferment Period

During the deferment period, interest is being accrued. The overall loan balance is increased due to accrued interest. In some cases, borrowers are subject to additional fees. The borrower must prove they are experiencing financial hardship.

What are the disadvantages of a deferred payment?

Disadvantages of a Deferred Payment Agreement

The cost of your care will have to be repaid by you or your estate. As this is a loan, your agreed interest and charges are added to the cost of your care fees.

Does a deferment hurt your credit?

While deferred payments don't directly impact your score, you don't want to rely heavily on them as a way to make your other payments. To maintain a healthy credit score, monitor your credit and find ways to adjust your budget so that you can get back into a routine of making regular payments.

What are the risks of deferring loan payments?

With the exception of subsidized federal student loans, interest and fees typically continue to accrue during deferment. This may cause your monthly payment to increase once the deferral period ends. Essentially, you're extending the loan term or repayment timeline when you defer payments.

How can you reduce your total loan cost?

Pay More than Your Minimum Payment

Paying a little extra each month can reduce the interest you pay and reduce your total cost of your loan over time. Continue to make monthly payments even if you've satisfied future payments, and you'll pay off your loan faster.

What is a hardship deferment?

A deferment is a way to postpone paying back your student loans for a certain period of time. The economic hardship deferment is available only if you have a federal student loan. You are eligible only if you are not in default on your loans and if you obtained the loans on or after July 1, 1993.

How many times can you get a payment deferred?

If you qualify for deferment, you can request one for up to 12 payment periods under most circumstances. However, you cannot ask for these deferments consecutively. Once you apply for one, you should wait at least a year before you request another one.

What are the advantages of deferred payment?

A deferred payment option is a right to operationally defer payment on an investment until a later date. Deferring payment often has certain advantages to paying upfront, such as accruing interest or avoiding opportunity costs, which the owner of that option will usually pay for.

What is the risk of deferral?

Project deferral risk is the potential for a project to be delayed or postponed due to external factors. This type of risk can arise from a variety of sources, including changes in customer requirements, delays in obtaining necessary resources, or unexpected events that require additional time and effort to address.