You may be eligible to defer payments or cancel your student loan under certain circumstances. Eligibility for deferment or cancellation varies by loan type.
To be considered for a deferment or cancellation, download and complete a request form from our service provider, ECSI. Please email uscsfs@usc.edu or fax your completed form to Student Financial Services at (213) 740-4034.
Some conditions that may qualify for deferment or cancellation are listed below. Your promissory note explains your specific options. If you need a copy of your promissory note, email uscsfs@usc.edu.
Federal Perkins Student Loan
Deferment conditions:
- student (at least half-time)
- graduate fellowship
- unemployment
- economic hardship
- military service
- rehabilitation training
- financial hardship forbearance
Cancellation types:
- teacher (low-income, special education, shortage subjects)
- nurse/medical technician
- firefighter
- early intervention
- child or family services
- law enforcement
- public defender
- military service
- early childhood education and Head Start
- volunteer service
- faculty member at a tribal college or university
- speech pathologist
- librarian
Health Profession Student Loan
Deferment conditions:
- student (full-time)
- leave of absence to pursue related educational activity
- graduate fellowship
- residency
- military service
- Peace Corps volunteer
- financial hardship forbearance
Academic Loans
Deferment conditions:
- student (half-time)
- unemployment
- economic hardship
- financial hardship forbearance
Federal Direct Stafford Loans
You must file an application for deferment with your lender.