[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 34, Volume 3] [Revised as of July 1, 2003] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 34CFR685.204] [Page 842-843] TITLE 34--EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PART 685--WILLIAM D. FORD FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM--Table of Contents Subpart B--Borrower Provisions Sec. 685.204 Deferment. (a)(1) A Direct Loan borrower whose loan is eligible for interest subsidies and who meets the requirements described in paragraph (b) of this section is eligible for a deferment during which periodic installments of principal and interest need not be paid. (2) A Direct Loan borrower whose loan is not eligible for interest subsidies and who meets the requirements described in paragraph (b) of this section is eligible for a deferment during which periodic installments of principal need not be paid but interest does accrue and is capitalized or paid by the borrower. (b) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, a Direct Loan borrower is eligible for a deferment during any period during which the borrower meets any of the following requirements: (1)(i) The borrower-- (A) Is carrying at least one-half the normal full-time work load for the course of study that the borrower is pursuing, as determined by the eligible school the borrower is attending; (B) Is pursuing a course of study pursuant to a graduate fellowship program approved by the Secretary; or (C) Is pursuing a rehabilitation training program, approved by the Secretary, for individuals with disabilities; and (ii) The borrower is not serving in a medical internship or residency program, except for a residency program in dentistry. (iii)(A) For the purpose of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, the Secretary processes a deferment when-- (1) The borrower submits a request to the Secretary along with documentation verifying the borrower's eligibility; [[Page 843]] (2) The Secretary receives information from the borrower's school indicating that the borrower is eligible to receive a new loan; or (3) The Secretary receives student status information from the borrower's school, either directly or indirectly, indicating that the borrower is enrolled on at least a half-time basis. (B)(1) Upon notification by the Secretary that a deferment has been granted based on paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(A)(2) or (3) of this section, the borrower has the option to continue paying on the loan. (2) If the borrower elects to cancel the deferment and continue paying on the loan, the borrower has the option to make the principal and interest payments that were deferred. If the borrower does not make the payments, the Secretary applies a deferment for the period in which payments were not made and capitalizes the interest. (2)(i) The borrower is seeking and unable to find full-time employment. (ii) For purposes of paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, the Secretary determines whether a borrower is eligible for a deferment due to the inability to find full-time employment using the standards and procedures set forth in 34 CFR 682.210(h) with references to the lender understood to mean the Secretary. (3)(i) The borrower has experienced or will experience an economic hardship. (ii) For purposes of paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section, the Secretary determines whether a borrower is eligible for a deferment due to an economic hardship using the standards and procedures set forth in 34 CFR 682.210(s)(6) with references to the lender understood to mean the Secretary. (c) No deferment under paragraphs (b) (2) or (3) of this section may exceed three years. (d) If, at the time of application for a borrower's first Direct Loan, a borrower has an outstanding balance of principal or interest owing on any FFEL Program loan that was made, insured, or guaranteed prior to July 1, 1993, the borrower is eligible for a deferment during-- (1) the periods described in paragraph (b) of this section; and (2) the periods described in 34 CFR 682.210(b), including those periods that apply to a ``new borrower'' as that term is defined in 34 CFR 682.210(b)(7). (e) A borrower whose loan is in default is not eligible for a deferment, unless the borrower has made payment arrangements satisfactory to the Secretary. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1845-0021) (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.) [59 FR 61690, Dec. 1, 1994, as amended at 60 FR 33345, June 28, 1995; 61 FR 29900, June 12, 1996; 64 FR 58968, Nov. 1, 1999]