Table of Contents
Overview
General Forbearance
Mandatory Forbearance
Private Loan Forbearance
Pros and Pros and
Alternatives
The Bottom Line
Student Loans and Loans
In the case of student loan forgiveness: Advantages and Cons
It’s only a temporary, not long-term, solution when finances are tight
By Jim Probasco
Updated November 29, 2022
Reviewed by Ebony Howard
The factual information was verified by Suzanne Kvilhaug.
Student loan forbearance is a method to suspend or lower your student loan payment for a period of time, typically for a period of 12 months or less, during times of financial strain. Forbearance is not as desirable as deferment. In this case, you might not be required to pay the interest accruing during the deferment period on certain kinds of loans.1 Forbearance means that you will be responsible for accrued interest when the period of forbearance is over.2
It is important to note that the federal student loan collections and payments have been suspended. The date for expiration for this relief came initially December. 31, 2022–and the interest rate set at 0 percent due to the financial impact of the 2020 economy crisis.34 It is reported that the Department of Education has again extended the pause on Federal student loan payments, this time in response to a court order blocking the White House’s student loan forgiveness plan. Students loan payments are paused until the later of these two dates:
60 days after the department has been granted permission to start the forgiveness program or the litigation is resolved; or
60 days after June 30, 2023.
However, during periods of periods that loans are being paid, there are pros and cons of halting the payment process. Let’s look at what those advantages and disadvantages are.
Important Takeaways
Federal student loan collection and payment payments are being halted by President Biden from now until 60 days following June 30 2023 (or 60 days following the time that pending lawsuits against the forgiveness program is resolved, whichever is earlier).
When loans are being taken out, there are arguments for and against the reasons you may decide to stop your payments.
Forbearance can be used for short-term (typically twelve months) relief only. This isn’t a long-term solution.
The option of deferment or an income driven repayment (IDR) plans are superior to forbearance.
The federal student loans is available in two forms: general and obligatory.
You must continue making required payment on student loans until your application for forgiveness has been approved in order to stay out of default.
For a lower cost, ensure that you pay interest when it is accruing while your loan remains in forbearance..
Student Loan Forbearance: An Overview
With all student loan abstention, the you will be charged interest for your loan continues to accrue during the deferral period . It is usually capitalized (added to the loan amount owed) at the end of the deferral time period unless that you make the payment in the manner it accrues.2
Perkins loans are an exception to the capitalization rule. When you take out a Perkins loan, your interest accrues during the deferral period but is not capitalized. Instead, it’s added to the interest balance (not that of the principal) during repayment, unless you pay it in the order it accrues. (Although it was announced that the federal government would stop providing Perkins loans in the year 2017 however, many are still paying back the money they borrowed through these loans. )56
Federal student loan forbearance is usually granted over 12 consecutive months stretch and is able to be renewed for up to 3 years. The conditions and the amount of payments for some types that are federally funded loan forbearance are required by the law. In other situations, the loan servicer is in discretion.2
The private student loan forbearance is typically granted for 12 months, but lenders seldom offer renewal. Conditions and amounts for private loan forbearance are the sole discretion of the lender.
If you are in financial trouble with your student loans then you aren’t qualified for any of the strategies discussed in this article.7
General Federal Student Loan Forbearance
If you are having trouble paying your direct, FFEL, or Perkins loans and aren’t eligible to defer, you may apply for a general forgiveness of one to twelve months by your student loan servicer.2
If your financial problems continue then you may request a new general forbearance of up to 12 months and a further 12 months following that, for a total of 3 years. Your loan servicer may determine a maximum duration per person for both direct and FFEL loans.2
General forbearance is at an individual discretion by the loan servicer and is generally granted due to unforeseen medical expenses, unemployment, or virtually any financial problem that prevents you from making loan payments. You may request a general forbearance by making use of the online form or calling your loan servicer to request a forbearance over the phone.2
Mandatory Federal Student Loan Forbearance
As opposed to a general or general forbearance which is at the discretion of your loan provider, you will need to get a mandated forbearance if you are eligible and ask for it. Most mandatory forbearance uses this same format, called Mandatory Forbearance Request: SERV, however, there is a separate template for Teacher Loan Forgiveness and the AmeriCorps.
Participation in a dental or medical internship or residency (direct or FFEL loans just)
Student loan payments of 20% or more of your gross monthly income (direct, FFEL, and Perkins loans)
Service in the AmeriCorps (direct and FFEL loans only)
The eligibility requirements for teacher loan forgiveness (direct or FFEL loans just)
The eligibility criteria for partial repayment of your student loans under the U.S. Department of Defense Student Loan Repayment Program (direct and FFEL loans only)
Active service with the National Guard when it doesn’t provide for a military deferment (direct as well as FFEL loans only)2
Private Student Loan Forbearance
The options for forbearance you have for private student loans differ depending on the lender however, they tend to be less flexible than those available for federal loans.
Many private lenders extend an option to forbear your payments during the time you’re in college or completing an internship or medical residency. Some allow interest-only payments while at the school. Forbearance in school typically comes with limitations on time, which could create issues if you wait for more than four years to graduate. Some lenders offer a six-month grace period after the completion of your degree.
Some lenders will grant forbearance to those who aren’t employed or are having difficulty paying your bills after graduating. In general, they are granted up to 2 months in a time , but less than 12 months total. There may be an additional charge for each month you are in forbearance.
Other forms of forbearance are often granted for active-duty military service or if you have been impacted by an natural catastrophe. For all private loans the interest is accrued during forbearance and is capitalized unless you pay it off as it is accrued.
Pros and Cons of Student Loan Forbearance
As with many financial tools that are available, student loan forbearance is not without advantages and disadvantages. If your choice is between wage garnishment or losing an income tax refund, as an example, forbearance may be the better choice, both in terms of financial cost and of the impact on your credit.8
It is important to note that the the interest you pay during deferment will likely be less expensive than the interest you would pay when taking out the personal loan or, even more surprisingly or a payday loan. But the fact that interest accrued is capitalized, you’ll have to pay more over the course that of the loan than if you were able to not be able to forbear.
Pros
Better than garnishment or default
Lower interest than payday or personal loan
Frees you to pay critical expenses
Has no impact on your credit score.
Cons
Not a long-term solution
Capitalization of accrued interest is expensive
Repetition of renewals could lead to loan default
Payments that are late or missed can affect your credit score
The option of forbearance is a temporary way that allows you to pay essential expenses, such as housing and utilities however it can also be very costly if you try to use it as a long-term solution by constantly renewal of your eligibility. This could ultimately result in loan default or even more than that, and also the possibility of severe damage to your credit.
While forbearance will be noted on your credit reports, it will not affect your credit score, unless you’ve had missed or late payments.8 To avoid complications and excessive expenses that arise from and following forbearance, keep making payments as your application is considered, then end your forbearance when you can afford it financially and, if you are able pay interest as they accrue.
The American Rescue Plan passed by Congress and was signed by president Biden in March 2021 has a provision that student loan forgiveness that is granted between Jan. 1, 2021 and December. 31, 2025, will not be taxable to the recipient.9
Alternatives to Forbearance
Before submitting an application for forbearance and based on the kind of loan(s) you are requesting it is recommended to consider two alternatives that include deferment and income-driven repay (IDR) options.
Deferment, like forbearance, lets you pause payments temporarily–typically up to three years. If you qualify to defer and are subsidized federal loans the interest accrued during delay will be paid out by federal government. All you have to pay at the end of the deferral is the original loan amount.1
Federal loan deferment as well as Private loan deferment is treated the same way as forbearance. That means that interest accrues and is capitalized at the end of the deferral period in addition to the amount you owe.1
IDR plans for federal student loans are available in four forms: Revised Plans for Pay-As-You Earn Repayment (REPAYE) Plan, Pay as You Earn Repayment (PAYE) Plan and income-based Repayment (IBR) Plan and the an Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan.10
They are typically made up of your income that you can afford and can be as low as zero dollars per month. The drawback is that, since the process of repaying your loan is typically longer, you’ll have to pay more in interest over the life of your loan. One possible benefit is that in the event that you loan is not completely paid before the time the period of repayment is over–20 to 25 years, any balance will be forgiven. Visit the Federal Student Aid to learn more and make an online request for an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.10
The Bottom Line
Student loan forgiveness is typically a last resort, not a first option. Use it if you need some relief for a short period but aren’t eligible for deferment. For longer-term issues, you may want to consider an income-driven repayment (IDR) option instead. If you can you can pay the interest in the order it is accrued to avoid having to pay fees on the amount of interest you pay when you do resume the repayment. Finally, when you first encounter financial problems Talk to your loan servicer to explore your options for repaying.
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