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.