Student loan forbearance allows you to temporarily stop making payments. 
Find out if a forbearance is the best option for your situation. With forbearance , you won t have to make a payment , or you can temporarily make a smaller payment. However , you probably won t be making any progress toward forgiveness or paying back your loan. As an alternative , consider income - driven repayment. NEW : Automatic Suspension of Monthly Payments as a Result of the COVID-19 National Emergency To provide relief to student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency , federal student loan borrowers are automatically being placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows you to temporarily stop making your monthly loan payments. This suspension of payments will last from March 13 , 2020, through Sept. 30 , 2020 , but you can still make payments if you choose. Have questions? Find out what loans qualify and get additional information about this forbearance and other student loan flexibilities due to the COVID-19 national emergency. 

Get Relief With Lower Payments on an Income-Driven Repayment Plan 
If you re having trouble repaying your loans due to circumstances that may continue for an extended period, or if you re unsure when you ll be able to afford to make your monthly loan payments again , a better option might be to change to an income - driven repayment plan. Income - driven repayment plans base your monthly payments on your income and family size. In some cases , your payment could be as low as $0 per month. They can also provide loan forgiveness if your loan is not paid in full after 20 or 25 years. Always contact your student loan servicer immediately if you re having trouble making your student loan payments. If you re seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness PSLF or income - driven repayment forgiveness , forbearance will not allow you to make progress toward forgiveness. 

Be Aware That Interest Might Accrue During a Forbearance 
If you are granted a

user: Hi. Well, I'm having some problems right now and I would like to know if there is a way that I can stop paying my student loan for a time.

assistant: Sure. Is so sad to know about you are having troubles right now. But the a loan forbearance is an option that allows you to stop making payments for a while, but is better if you find out first if this is the best option for you or if you have the chance to do smaller payments.

assistant: Have you considered this possibilities? 

user: No, I have not. But is a good advice.

user: And what happens if I don't pay the interest on my student loan, by the way?

assistant: This might become into a higher amount of money you will need to repay over the life of your loan. 

user: I see, but the problems I am having right now, are because the coronavirus crisis. I have some others economics problems too and they are turning very difficult to handle. Are there any kind of alternative?

assistant: Those who have a federal student loan are automatically being placed in an administrative forbearance, which allow them stop making their monthly loan payments.

user: Oh, that's great to hear. But I can also do smaller payments if I have the chance right?

assistant: That's right. They won't be mandatory, but you are free to do them if you can.