Military service does not usually exempt you from student loan payments, but there are several programs that can assist you. Some individuals in critical occupational specialties, including many health-related professions, may qualify to have all or most of their loans paid. Military Service Deferment may allow you to postpone or defer payments during certain periods of active duty, such as wartime service or service away from your normal post. Interest will not accumulate on loans during deployment in hostile areas. These and other military student loan benefits usually apply only to federal student loans.