Defer Prior Loans
You may be eligible to defer payment on prior educational loans while you are enrolled at least half-time as a student at Northwestern. Contact your lender to determine if you qualify for a student deferment. Incoming students enrollment cannot be certified until after matriculation.
The deferment process will depend on the loan type.
Federal Stafford, Federal Graduate PLUS & Alternative Loans
- The University Registrar sends your enrollment information to the National Student Loan Clearinghouse once a month.
- The Clearinghouse notifies your lender(s) and/or servicer(s) that you are in school.
- If your lender(s) or servicer(s) sends you a deferment application, simply email fsm_records@northwestern.edu.
- Continue making payments until you receive notification from your lender that your deferment has been processed.
Federal Perkins Loan
- Contact your former school to obtain a student deferment form (your former school is your lender for a Federal Perkins Loan).
- Complete the "Student Section" of each deferment application as directed.
- Email the deferment form to fsm_records@northwestern.edu.
- The Registrar will complete the deferment application and send it to your former school.
- Continue making payments until you receive notification from your lender that your deferment has been processed.
If you attended Northwestern University previously and had a Perkins loan, you are still required to follow the steps listed above.
Your Responsibilities While in Deferment
- Notify your lender(s) of any change in circumstance (e.g., change in address, phone number, name, enrollment status) that might affect your deferment(s).
- Contact your lender(s) immediately if you continue to receive requests for payment after school has started and/or you have submitted a student deferment form. The Registrar may need to send an enrollment history to your lender(s) to verify your eligibility.