Military Benefits

Description

The SCRA gives military members important protections as they enter active duty and while they are on active duty. The SCRA protects members of the Armed Forces, members of the National Guard, and other Reserve components called to active duty and, in limited situations, their dependents.

The interest rate on any federal student loans disbursed after August 14, 2008, that you received before your military service cannot exceed 6% during periods of active duty.

Eligibility

• On active duty

• Federal student loans disbursed prior to active duty start date.

• For federal student loans, the earliest benefit effective date is August 14, 2008. Active duty periods that fall on or after that date may qualify.

• If you consolidate your federal student loans after you begin active duty, your consolidation loan may not be eligible for the SCRA benefit  this link will open in a new window

Documentation Requirements

We regularly check an authorized military database and will automatically apply the benefit to your eligible loans based on your qualifying active duty status. You can also securely upload a copy of your military orders, or fax to 866-222-7060.

Description

You can postpone federal student loan repayment during certain periods of active duty and immediately following active duty.

Learn more about interest accrual during deferment, and if you are responsible for paying the accrued interest.

Eligibility

• Active duty military service during a war, other military operation, or national emergency.

• National Guard servicemembers must be called to active duty by the President or the Secretary of Defense and paid for with federal funds.

• Assigned to a duty station other than your normal station.

• Periods of training or attending service school are not eligible for deferment.

Documentation Requirements

• A completed Military Service and Post-Active Duty Student Deferment Request  this link will open in a new window form with

  • a certification from an authorized official in Section 4; or

  • a written statement from your commanding/personnel officer; or

  • a copy of your military orders.

• If you cannot submit a deferment request form and other documentation, a verbal request from you or your representative is acceptable. Deferment based on a verbal request is limited to an initial twelve-month period.

Description

You can postpone repayment of your federal student loans while you prepare to return to school following your active duty. Pause your payments after active duty military service and any applicable grace period until the earlier of:

1. the date you resume enrollment at an eligible school on at least a half-time basis, or

2. thirteen months following the completion of your active duty military service and any applicable grace period.

Learn more about interest accrual during deferment, and if you are responsible for paying the accrued interest.

Eligibility

Following service during a war, other military operation, or national emergency.

Documentation Requirements

• A completed Military Service and Post-Active Duty Student Deferment Request  this link will open in a new window form with

  • a certification from an authorized official in Section 4; or

  • a written statement from your commanding/personnel officer; or

  • a copy of your military orders.

• If you cannot submit a deferment request form and other documentation, a verbal request from you or your representative is acceptable. Deferment based on a verbal request is limited to an initial twelve-month period.

Description

Your military service may make you eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). PSLF is a program for people who work in public service in federal, state, tribal, or local government, or for a non-profit organization. You may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance of your federal Direct Loans. Learn more at StudentAid.gov/pslf  this link will open in a new window .

Eligibility

• Federal Direct Loans only.

• Employed full time at a eligible employer, including military service.

• Have 120 qualifying months after October 1, 2007.

Documentation Requirements

Visit StudentAid.gov/publicservice  this link will open in a new window to learn more about how to apply for PSLF or to use the PSLF Help Tool at StudentAid.gov/pslf  this link will open in a new window to complete your PSLF form online.

Description

While you are serving on active duty in a location considered a hostile fire or imminent danger pay area that qualifies you for special pay, you may be eligible to not have to pay interest on Direct Loans for up to 60 months.

Eligibility

• Direct Loans disbursed on or after October 1, 2008.

• Serving on active duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency; or

• Performing qualifying National Guard duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency; and

• Servicing in an area of hostilities in which service qualifies for special pay under section 310 of title 37, U.S.C.

• For a Direct Consolidation Loan, only any portion of the loan which repaid a loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2008.

Documentation Requirements

• A completed Military Service and Post-Active Duty Student Deferment Request form  this link will open in a new window with a certification from an authorized official certifying your service in an area of hostilities that qualifies you for special pay; or

• Military orders showing you are serving in a hostile area; or

• A Leave and Earnings Statement showing you are receiving hostile or imminent danger pay.

Description

There are income-driven repayment (IDR) plans that base your monthly payment on your income and family size. Under these plans, you may qualify for a low or zero payment amount with the possibility of forgiveness of the remaining balance in 20 to 25 years.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements vary depending on the loan type(s) and repayment plan. Use Loan Simulator to see which programs you may be eligible for, review the estimated payment and cost of each option, and apply.

Documentation Requirements

A completed Income-Driven Repayment Plan Request and documentation of income. You can apply online, using Loan Simulator  this link will open in a new window or download the income-driven repayment plan form  this link will open in a new window , complete, and return the form.

Description

While you are on active duty, ED waives certain documentation requirements. For example, if you are enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan and military service prevents you from providing your updated income and family size information, this documentation requirement will be waived, and your current monthly payment amount will be maintained.

Eligibility

• Serving on active duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency;

• Performing qualifying National Guard duty during a war, operation, or emergency;

• Resides or is employed in an area that is declared a disaster area by any Federal, State, or local official in connection with a national emergency; or,

• Suffered a direct economic hardship as a direct result of war or other military operation or national emergency.

Documentation Requirements

• Military orders

• We will apply a waiver if we have information that you are actively serving in the military and qualify for the waiver.

Description

In certain circumstances, as determined by the DOD, all or a portion of your federal student loans may be repaid by the DOD.

Eligibility

• Servicemember of any branch of the U.S. military.

• Performing service that qualifies you for a partial repayment of your loans under any DOD Student Loan Repayment Program.

Documentation Requirements

Contact your designated military personnel officer or representative for more information.

Description

Servicemembers of any branch of the U.S. military can temporarily suspend monthly payments while the military repays their federal student loans.

Learn more about interest accrual during forbearance, and if you are responsible for paying the accrued interest.

Eligibility

• Servicemember of any branch of the U.S. military.

• Performing service that qualifies you for a partial repayment of your loans under any DOD Student Loan Repayment Program.

Documentation Requirements

Submit a Mandatory Forbearance  this link will open in a new window form with Section 4 completed by an authorized official.

Description

If you have a service-connected disability, you may qualify for discharge of your federal student loans.

Eligibility

• Determination by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that you are unemployable due to a service-connected disability; or

• Determination by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or a physician that you are unemployable due to a total and permanent disability.

Documentation Requirements

To view information on supporting documentation requirements for Total and Permanent Disability Discharge and apply, visit StudentAid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/disability-discharge  this link will open in a new window.

Description

If you are a member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the U.S. armed forces (current or retired) and you are called to active duty while you are enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school or within six months of having been enrolled at least half-time, and you do not qualify for a military service deferment, you may be able to suspend payments on your federal student loans.

Learn more about interest accrual during forbearance, and if you are responsible for paying the accrued interest

Eligibility

• Member of the National Guard; and,

• Engaged in active state duty for a period of more than 30 consecutive days because a governor activated you based on state statute or policy or with the approval of the President or the U.S. Secretary of Defense; and,

• Your service is being paid for with state or federal funds; and,

• You were activated no more than 6 months after the last date on which you were enrolled in school at least half-time; and,

• You are performing service that qualifies you for a partial repayment of your loans under any DOD Student Loan Repayment Program.

Documentation Requirements

Submit a Mandatory Forbearance   this link will open in a new window application. Section 4 should be completed by an authorized official or you can provide a copy of your orders.