Teacher Shortage Deferment

What is it?
A means of deferring (postponing) payments due on your student loans for up to 36 months (three years).

When do I qualify?
You may qualify if you are teaching full-time in an area designated by your state as a “Teacher Shortage Area.”

When is a deferment a good idea?
When you are temporarily struggling to make your student loan payments.

When is a deferment not a good idea? 
When you have the ability to make payments to bring your account up to date, or when you are not sure that you will be able to resume payments soon. During any deferment on an unsubsidized loan, interest continues to accrue, even when you are not required to make payments. As a result, your balance and payment term are likely to increase.

How do I apply?
Click on the button below to view and print a teacher deferment request form.  Please read the form carefully to make sure you qualify, and follow the instructions on the form. Mail your completed form(s) to us at:

Student Loan Counseling Service, Inc.
P.O. Box 1078
Waterloo, IA  50704-1078

To learn more about the Teacher Shortage Deferment, click here.

If you think that you do not qualify for the Teacher Shortage Deferment, please view any other options on your Results page, or click on the Return to Questionnaire button at the bottom of this page to make another selection.