There are a number of programs available if you're having difficulty making your student loan payments.
A deferment allows you to temporarily delay repayment of your student loans for a specified period of time. There are many different situations that would make a student eligible to defer their payments. The most frequently used deferments are because of unemployment, enrollment in school or economic hardship.
A forbearance is an option available to students who are not eligible for a deferment. If you are financially unable to make your student loan payments, you may be eligible for this temporary suspension or reduction of payments. A forbearance may be granted if federal student loan debt exceeds 20% of the borrower's gross income. Forbearance will not eliminate any prior derogatory credit history.
The forms below use fillable fields so that you can enter most of the necessary data using your computer's keyboard, instead of handwriting your information. To use these forms, you will need Adobe Reader (download Adobe Reader). Click a link to open the form, then use your mouse or Tab key to move to each field and type the appropriate data. Once you have completed all the fillable fields, print the form, sign and date it, and return it to us. You may still print a form without entering any data and complete it by hand. The fillable fields, however, allow for faster processing and fewer errors. We encourage you to complete as much of the form as possible using your keyboard.
Before you utilize these request forms, please contact the Edamerica Servicing Center via email or toll-free at 800.337.1009. Your student loan servicer needs to be aware of your situation in order to provide you with the appropriate information and instructions.
Completed forms should be signed and mailed or faxed to:
Edfinancial Services
P.O. Box 36014
Knoxville, TN 37930-6014
Fax: 865.692.6386
Forbearance Request forms