Your loans entered forbearance automatically or because you requested it

Your student loans are in forbearance because either your loan servicer placed them there automatically — usually when you stopped making payments or fell behind — or because you asked for forbearance yourself. Forbearance is a pause on your monthly payment obligation. You are not required to pay right now, but interest keeps accruing on most loan types, and the pause is temporary.

The reason matters because it determines how long forbearance lasts and what your next step should be. If your servicer put you in forbearance without your request, you may have options to move to a different status. If you requested it, you chose this route because your income dropped, you faced an unexpected expense, or you were not yet ready to resume payments.

Forbearance is not forgiveness. Your debt is still there. When forbearance ends, your payment obligation returns unless you move to a different repayment plan or status before the forbearance period closes.

Key Takeaways

  • Forbearance pauses your payment but interest still accrues, making your total debt larger when payments resume.
  • Your servicer may have placed you in forbearance automatically if you missed payments, or you may have requested it yourself.
  • Forbearance typically lasts three to six months, but you can request an extension before it ends.
  • Income-driven repayment plans may lower your payment to zero without accruing interest, and are worth exploring before forbearance ends.
  • Contact your servicer before forbearance expires to decide your next step — waiting until it ends leaves you without a plan.

How forbearance starts and how long it lasts

If you have federal student loans and missed a payment, your servicer typically places you in forbearance automatically after you fall 60 to 90 days behind. This is called mandatory forbearance. It stops collection calls and late fees temporarily, but it is not a choice you made.

If you requested forbearance yourself — because your income dropped, you lost a job, or you faced a hardship — that is discretionary forbearance. You asked for it, and your servicer approved it. This type usually lasts three to six months, and you can request an extension if you still need one.

Mandatory forbearance also typically lasts three to six months, depending on the reason. Once that period ends, your payment obligation returns automatically unless you take action before the deadline. Your servicer should send you a notice 15 days before forbearance expires, telling you the exact date and what will happen next.

Why interest keeps growing during forbearance

On most federal loan types — Direct Loans, PLUS loans, and older Stafford loans — interest accrues during forbearance even though you are not making payments. This means your balance grows every month. When forbearance ends and you resume payments, you owe more than you did when forbearance started.

The only exception is subsidized loans, where the government pays the interest during forbearance. If you have subsidized Direct Loans or subsidized Stafford loans, interest does not accrue. If you have unsubsidized loans or PLUS loans, it does.

This is why forbearance is a temporary measure, not a long-term solution. If you stay in forbearance for six months, your balance could grow by hundreds of dollars or more, depending on how much you owe and your interest rate.

What happens when forbearance ends

When forbearance expires, your regular monthly payment obligation returns on the first day after the forbearance period closes. If you do not contact your servicer before that date, your account will be treated as if you stopped paying again — you will accrue late fees and damage to your credit report.

Your servicer will send you a notice before forbearance ends, usually 15 days in advance. That notice tells you the exact expiration date and your new payment amount. Read it carefully. If you cannot afford that payment, you have options, but you must act before the deadline.

If you do not resume payments and do not contact your servicer, your loan will go into default. Default means you have not paid for more than 270 days. Once you are in default, your entire remaining balance becomes due immediately, the government can garnish your wages, and your credit score drops significantly.

Income-driven repayment as an alternative to forbearance

If you are in forbearance because you cannot afford your current payment, an income-driven repayment plan may be a better option than waiting for forbearance to end. Income-driven plans calculate your payment based on what you actually earn, not on the standard 10-year schedule. Your payment could be zero if your income is low enough.

The main advantage over forbearance is that interest does not accrue on subsidized loans while you are on an income-driven plan, even if your payment is zero. On unsubsidized loans, interest still accrues, but at least you have a sustainable payment you can afford. Forbearance, by contrast, always accrues interest and always ends.

You can move from forbearance to an income-driven plan at any time. Contact your servicer and ask to switch. You will need to provide recent income information — usually your most recent tax return or a pay stub. The process typically takes two to four weeks.

How to request an extension if you need more time

If forbearance is ending but you still cannot afford to pay, you can request an extension before the deadline. Contact your servicer at least 15 days before forbearance expires and ask for an extension. Most servicers will grant one extension without requiring much documentation, though some may ask you to explain your situation.

An extension usually lasts another three to six months. You can request multiple extensions, but there are limits. Federal rules allow up to three years of total forbearance on most loan types, though some loans have different caps. Your servicer can tell you how much forbearance time you have left.

Requesting an extension is straightforward, but do not wait until the last day. Call or log into your servicer's website and submit the request as soon as you know you need more time. If you wait until after forbearance ends, you will be treated as delinquent, and your credit will be damaged even if you request an extension after the fact.

Private student loans and forbearance

If your loans are private student loans, forbearance works differently. Private lenders are not required to offer forbearance at all, and the terms vary widely by lender. Some private lenders offer forbearance similar to federal loans; others do not.

Contact your private lender directly to ask whether forbearance is available and what the terms are. If forbearance is not available, ask about deferment, payment reduction, or a temporary pause. Some private lenders will work with you if you explain your situation, but they have no legal obligation to do so.

If you have both federal and private loans, focus on your federal loans first. Federal programs offer more protection and more options. Your private lender may be willing to work with you once you have a plan for your federal debt.

Steps to take before forbearance ends

Start planning at least 30 days before forbearance expires. Do not wait for the notice from your servicer. Log into your servicer's website or call them directly and ask three questions: What is my exact forbearance end date? What will my payment be when forbearance ends? What are my options if I cannot afford that payment?

Once you have those answers, decide which path makes sense for you. If you can afford the payment, let forbearance end and resume payments on schedule. If you cannot afford it, explore income-driven repayment or request an extension. If you have private loans in forbearance, contact that lender separately and ask what happens when forbearance ends.

Write down the date forbearance ends and set a phone reminder for two weeks before. Make the call to your servicer before that deadline. This one step — calling before forbearance expires — prevents most of the problems that come after forbearance ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get out of forbearance early?

Yes. You can resume payments at any time, even if forbearance has not ended. Contact your servicer and ask to end forbearance. There is no penalty for paying early. If you have the money and want to stop interest from accruing, ending forbearance and moving to an income-driven plan with a zero payment may be better than waiting.

Will forbearance hurt my credit score?

Forbearance you requested yourself does not damage your credit. Mandatory forbearance — when your servicer placed you there because you missed payments — may already have hurt your credit when you fell behind. Once you are in forbearance, your credit does not get worse, but it does not improve until you resume payments on time for several months.

What if I cannot afford my payment even after forbearance ends?

Move to an income-driven repayment plan before forbearance ends. Your payment will be based on your income, and it could be zero. This is better than letting your loan go into default. You can also request an extension of forbearance, though this is temporary and interest keeps accruing.

Do I have to pay the interest that accrued during forbearance?

Yes. The interest that accrued is added to your principal balance. When you resume payments, you are paying interest on a larger amount. This is why forbearance is expensive — it delays the problem rather than solving it. Income-driven repayment stops interest from accruing on subsidized loans, making it a better long-term option.

What happens if I ignore the forbearance end date?

Your loan goes into default after 270 days of non-payment. Once you are in default, the government can garnish your wages, take your tax refund, and sue you. Your credit score drops significantly. The best time to act is before forbearance ends. The second-best time is immediately after you realize it has ended.