How to Tell If Your Student Loans Are in Forbearance

Everyone · How-to · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What information do you need before checking if your student loans are in forbearance?

Before you investigate your student loan status, prepare key information to make the process quick and accurate. You’ll need your full name, Social Security number or borrower ID, and any loan account numbers you have. If you’ve created an online account with your loan servicer, have your username and password handy. Also, gather any recent billing statements, emails, or letters from your loan servicer that mention your loan status or payment history. These documents often include helpful details such as loan balances, payment due dates, and specific terms like "forbearance" or "deferment."

If you have multiple loans, it’s critical to know which ones you want to check, as some loans could be in forbearance while others are not. For example, federal loans and private loans may have different servicers and policies. If you’re unsure of your loan servicer, visit the official Federal Student Aid website or check your credit report via a free service like AnnualCreditReport.com. Your credit report will list all your lenders and servicers, helping you identify the correct contact points.

Having this information ready prevents delays or mistakes when you start checking your loan status and ensures you can ask precise questions to your servicer.

How do you check your student loan status online to see if it’s in forbearance?

Checking your loan status online is often the fastest way to find out if your student loans are in forbearance. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your loan servicer’s website. Use your username and password to access your account. If you don’t have an account, create one using your loan information.
2. Navigate to your loan summary or account overview page. Look for tabs or sections labeled “Loan Status,” “Payment Status,” or “Account Summary.”
3. Look for specific terms like “Forbearance,” “Deferment,” or “In Repayment.” Your status may be prominently displayed.
4. Check your current payment amount and due date. If your payment is currently $0.00 or significantly reduced, or if the due date is extended, this is a common sign of forbearance.
5. Review any messages or alerts your servicer posts. Often, servicers will provide notices indicating when forbearance begins and ends and any special instructions.
6. Download or save any official forbearance approval letters or documents. Keeping these on hand can help if you need to reference your forbearance later.

For example, if you log in and see your monthly payment dropped from $200 to $0, with a message like “Your loan is currently in forbearance until [date],” that confirms your status. Alternatively, if you see “Your loan is in active repayment,” then no forbearance is currently in place.

If you have federal loans serviced by different companies, you can also check your overall loan status on the Federal Student Aid website by logging in with your FSA ID. This will show you the status of all your federal loans in one place.

How can you confirm forbearance by calling your loan servicer?

If online information is unclear or you want direct confirmation, calling your loan servicer is a reliable method. Before calling, have your loan account number or Social Security number ready to verify your identity.

When you reach customer service, use specific questions like:

• “Can you confirm if my student loans are currently in forbearance?”
• “If so, what are the start and end dates of the forbearance period?”
• “Are there any payments due during this time?”
• “Does interest continue to accrue while my loans are in forbearance?”

Ask the representative to send you written confirmation of your loan status, either by email or postal mail. This documentation can be vital if future disputes arise or if you need to verify your repayment history.

For example, you might say, “I want to make sure my loans are in forbearance because I haven’t made payments recently. Can you please confirm the status and provide a letter?” Taking notes during the call, including the representative’s name, the date, and what was said, can also be helpful.

If your servicer offers an automated phone system, make sure you reach a live agent for specific questions about your forbearance status.

How do you tell if your loans are in deferment instead of forbearance?

Deferment and forbearance are both options to temporarily pause or reduce student loan payments, but they differ in eligibility rules and interest treatment. To determine if your loans are in deferment:

• Look for the term “deferment” on your loan account page or in official correspondence. Deferment is usually labeled explicitly.
• Check the reason listed for the deferment. Common deferment reasons include enrollment in school at least half-time, unemployment, or economic hardship.
• Review whether interest is accruing. For most federal subsidized loans, interest does not accrue during deferment, unlike most forbearance situations where interest continues to accumulate.
• Verify documentation requirements. Deferment often requires submitting proof, such as a school enrollment certificate or unemployment documentation, whereas forbearance can sometimes be granted more flexibly.

For example, if your servicer shows “Deferment due to in-school status” with a future resume date, that confirms deferment. You might also receive a letter explaining that your payments are paused under deferment rules, and interest is not being charged on certain loans.

Understanding whether your loan is in deferment or forbearance matters because it affects how much interest you will pay over time and your overall repayment schedule.

What should you do if your loan status does not show forbearance but you believe it should?

Sometimes, your loan information might not reflect an expected forbearance. If that happens:

1. Review all communication from your loan servicer carefully. Check emails, letters, or online messages for any notices about forbearance approval or denial.
2. Contact your loan servicer immediately. Explain your situation clearly, for example: “I was told I qualified for forbearance starting last month, but my account still shows payments due. Can you help me understand why?”
3. Request an official statement of your loan status and any payment obligations. Ask for clarification if there is confusion between deferment, forbearance, or repayment status.
4. Keep detailed records. Write down the names of representatives you speak with, dates, times, and what they say.
5. If your servicer does not resolve the issue, consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. You can also seek help from a nonprofit credit counselor who specializes in student loans.
6. Continue making payments if possible to avoid default. If you cannot pay, document your efforts to resolve the situation.

For example, if your servicer delayed processing your forbearance request or there was a paperwork error, following these steps can prevent missed payments from harming your credit.

How do you know if your efforts to check forbearance worked?

You can be confident your loans are in forbearance if:

• Your loan account shows a zero or reduced payment amount with a status indicating forbearance.
• You receive official confirmation from your loan servicer, such as an email, letter, or notice on your account.
• Your payment due date is extended or suspended for the forbearance period.
• Your loan balance remains the same except for any interest that accrues (if applicable).

For example, if your monthly payment went from $150 to $0 with a message saying “Forbearance approved until [date],” your efforts have worked. If you called your servicer and they emailed you a letter confirming the forbearance, keep that for your records.

If you do not see these signs, revisit the steps or contact your servicer again.

How can you adapt this process for different audiences?

Different borrowers may have unique situations requiring slight adjustments:

• Parents or guardians managing loans for a dependent: Make sure you have proper authorization or power of attorney to access the loan account. Many servicers require borrower permission.
• Educators helping students: Teach students to keep all loan paperwork organized and encourage regular monitoring of loan status online. Help them understand terms like forbearance and deferment.
• Borrowers with private student loans: Private lenders handle forbearance differently. Contact your lender directly and ask about hardship or payment pause options. Many private lenders do not use formal forbearance but may offer “payment deferrals.”
• Borrowers with multiple loans: Check the status of each loan separately, as some loans may be in forbearance while others are in repayment or deferment.
• Those with limited internet access: Use phone calls to servicers or visit local library resources for help in checking loan status.

No matter your situation, regular communication with your loan servicer and record-keeping of all correspondence helps maintain control over your student loans and prevents surprises.

Frequently asked questions

Can I check my student loan forbearance status through the Federal Student Aid website?

Yes, by logging in with your FSA ID at the Federal Student Aid website, you can view the status of all your federal student loans in one place. This shows whether loans are in forbearance, deferment, repayment, or default.

What is the difference between forbearance and deferment on student loans?

Forbearance temporarily pauses or reduces payments but generally causes interest to accrue. Deferment also pauses payments but may not accrue interest on federal subsidized loans. Eligibility requirements differ, so knowing your exact status is important.

How long can student loan forbearance last?

Forbearance periods vary depending on loan type and servicer, typically lasting from a few months up to a year or more. Extensions might be possible, but you must apply and get approval from your servicer.

Will my credit report show if my loans are in forbearance?

Your credit report may show your loans as current during forbearance since payments are on hold, but it won’t usually specify forbearance. For exact status, check with your loan servicer.

Can private student loans be put in forbearance like federal loans?

Private lenders may offer forbearance or hardship programs, but terms vary widely. Contact your private lender directly to learn about options and how to verify your loan status.