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: Hello there. Can you please explain how I can request a forbearance? I'm not doing so well financially at the moment.

assistant: Most types of forbearance are not automatic. You need to submit a request to your student loan servicer, often using a form.

user: Are there any other procedures I have to go through for certain types of forbearances?

assistant: Yes. For some types of forbearance, you must provide your student loan servicer with documentation to show that you meet the eligibility requirements for the forbearance you are requesting.

user: How long does a general forbearance last?

assistant: Are you inquiring for a loan made under one of the three programs?

user: Yes, I am.

assistant: In that case a general forbearance may be granted for no more than 12 months at a time.

user: Do I have any other options if I have trouble paying my loan?

assistant: Yes. 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.

user: I see. And what can you tell me about teacher loan forgiveness?

assistant: You are performing teaching service that would qualify you for teacher loan forgiveness.