When it comes to deferment and forbearance, there are two important things to consider: 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.
Explanation: The main disadvantage of a student loan is that it needs to be paid back with interest.
Key Takeaways
Carrying student debt can affect your ability to buy a home if your debt-to-income ratio is too high. If you have too much student loan debt, you won't be able to save as much for retirement. Student loan debt can lower your credit score, especially if you fail to make on-time payments.
A deferment is a temporary pause to your student loan payments for specific situations such as active duty military service and reenrollment in school. You can apply for a deferment with your loan servicer, and you must continue to make payments until you've been notified that your deferment was approved.
When a creditor defers your payments, it can report your account's new status to the credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. While this appears in your credit report, the deferment status won't directly help or hurt your credit scores.
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.
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.
Drawbacks of Subsidized Loans
Subsidized loans can be really helpful if you're eligible, but not all students are. Plus, the amount you can borrow is limited per academic year. So, even if you qualify for one, a subsidized loan might not get you all the money you need for college.
If you are delinquent on your student loan payment for 90 days or more, your loan servicer will report the delinquency to the national credit bureaus, which can negatively impact your credit rating. If you continue to be delinquent, you risk your loan going into default.
Definition. Disadvantaged students are individuals who face significant barriers to educational success due to socioeconomic status, family circumstances, or other social factors.
Cons Explained
No refinancing option available: Certain lenders offer student loan refinancing, but Sallie Mae does not. Limited repayment terms: Sallie Mae only offers repayment terms of 120 to 180 months.
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.
If you lose your job and can't afford your mortgage, you can apply for mortgage forbearance to maintain homeownership without breaching the mortgage loan's terms. Forbearance may negatively impact your credit, but it can help you avoid foreclosure, which may be even more damaging to your credit score.
If you default on your student loan, that status will be reported to national credit reporting agencies. This reporting may damage your credit rating and future borrowing ability. Also, the government can collect on your loans by taking funds from your wages, tax refunds, and other government payments.
"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.
Disadvantages of a Deferred Payment Agreement
Interest is usually applied on a compound basis. This means you'll pay interest on interest already incurred, as well as the care fees. This route is likely to reduce the amount of inheritance you can leave.
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.
There are no income limits to apply, and many state and private colleges use the FAFSA to determine your financial aid eligibility. To qualify for aid, however, you'll also need to submit a FAFSA every year you're in school. Here is our complete FAFSA guide, including how to apply.