What happens to my loans if I go back to school?

If you re-enroll in school at least half-time, your federal student loans may be eligible for deferment, meaning you won't have to make payments while you're in school.

Some private lenders offer deferment or forbearance options for returning students, but this varies by lender. You should contact your lender to understand your options.

Yes, you should inform your loan servicer if you re-enroll in school to ensure you qualify for any applicable deferment.

You typically need to request an in-school deferment from your loan servicer and may need your school's registrar to verify your enrollment status.

Interest may continue to accrue on unsubsidized loans during deferment. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during deferment.

If your enrollment drops below half-time, your loans generally exit deferment, and you may need to start making payments again.

You can consolidate federal loans under certain conditions, but it generally makes more sense to wait until after graduation.

Returning to school shouldn't negatively impact your eligibility for loan forgiveness programs, but it may pause your progress towards qualifying payments.

You can qualify for PSLF while in school if you continue to work qualifying employment and meet other eligibility requirements.

Going back to school might lower your income, which could potentially reduce payments under an income-driven repayment plan, but deferment would pause payments.

Parent PLUS Loans aren't eligible for in-school deferment if the parent borrower goes back to school unless consolidated into a direct consolidation loan.

You can defer your loans for as long as you are enrolled at least half-time, but you must regularly update your loan servicer about your enrollment status.

If your online program is accredited and you are enrolled at least half-time, you can qualify for deferment, just like traditional in-person classes.

You will need to provide proof of your enrollment from your school, such as a certificate of enrollment or a form completed by the registrar.

Yes, after you leave school and deferment ends, you can switch to a different repayment plan that fits your financial situation.

Eligibility for deferment generally begins once your school confirms that you are enrolled at least half-time.

Accrued interest on unsubsidized loans can be capitalized if you defer your loans, meaning the interest is added to the principal balance, increasing the total amount owed.

Yes, you can make voluntary payments during deferment, especially on unsubsidized loans to avoid capitalized interest.

If there's a delay in reporting, you should contact your school's financial aid office and your loan servicer to update your status and avoid any issues with deferment.

Taking a leave of absence may affect your deferment eligibility. If you're not enrolled at least half-time, you may need to start repayment again.