Volunteering

This application is used for the following types of deferments:

Peace Corps
Public Health Service

Peace Corps Deferment

You may be eligible for up to three years of loan deferment for service as a Peace Corps/AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer. Payments are not required and interest will not accrue during the deferment. A minimum of one year of service is required for eligibility.

Eligibility

You must be a volunteer or providing comparable service under Title I, Part A of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. A borrower is considered to be providing service comparable to Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA service if he or she meets all of the following criteria:

The borrower serves in an organization that is exempt from taxation under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954;
The borrower provides service to low-income persons and their communities to assist them in eliminating poverty and poverty-related human, social, and environmental conditions;
The borrower does not receive compensation that exceeds the rate prescribed under Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (the federal minimum wage), except that the tax-exempt organization may provide the volunteer with health, retirement, and other fringe benefits that are substantially equivalent to the benefits offered to other employees of the organization;
The borrower, as part of his or her duties, does not give religious instruction, conduct worship service, engage in religious proselytizing, or engage in fund-raising to support religious activities; and
The borrower has agreed to serve on a full-time basis for a term of at least one year.

Additionally, to qualify for a Peace Corps/AmeriCorps VISTA deferment, your loan must be paid to the start of the deferment period.

Grace Period

You will receive an additional six-month grace period. Payments are not required and interest will not accrue during the post-deferment grace period.

Application Process

There are two ways to apply:

Submit an application
- Print a Volunteering Deferment Application
- Complete and sign the application
- Have an authorized person or supervisor certify your service
- Mail or fax the documentation to:

Penn State

Student Financial Services
108 Shields Building

664 Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802

Fax: 814-865-6535

Provide an official letter from the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA stating your terms of service.

You must apply for a Peace Corps/AmeriCorps VISTA deferment each year.

Other Options

If your loan is not eligible for a Peace Corps/AmeriCorps VISTA deferment and you are unable to meet your scheduled payments, you may apply for an economic hardship deferment or forbearance.

Public Health Service Deferment

Certain Federal Health and Human Services loan types are eligible for a maximum of three years of public health service deferment. Payments are not required and interest will not accrue during the deferment.

Eligibility

You must be an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service.

Additionally, to qualify for a public health service deferment, your loan must be paid to the start of the deferment period.