Acceptable Forms of Documentation

Completed School Deferment Form—section 4 must be completed by an authorized school official.

OR

Verification from your school on official school letterhead signed by an authorized school official. This verification must include:

• Dates of attendance
• Enrollment Status (full time/half-time)
• The School’s Office of Postsecondary Education Identification (OPE-ID) number ( your school will have this number).

Completed Graduate Fellowship Deferment Request Form—section 4 must be completed by an authorized program official.

OR

A signed letter from an authorized program official providing the dates your graduate fellowship is expected to begin and end.

A copy of your military orders.

OR

Completed Military Service Deferment Form—section 4 must be completed by an authorized official.

Completed Rehabilitation Training Deferment Request—section 4 must be completed by an authorized rehabilitation training program official.

OR

A signed letter from an authorized rehabilitation training program official providing the dates your rehabilitation training program is expected to begin and end.

If your deferment was granted by another servicer, please send documentation of the deferment (including dates of the deferment) at the other servicer to us—for example, a deferment approval letter.

Note: A forbearance approval letter is not acceptable.

Documentation confirming that you are receiving payments under a federal or state public assistance program, including but not limited to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Food Stamps/Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), or state general public assistance.

Note: Many programs not listed may qualify for this deferment.  For a program to qualify, the assistance must be from a federal or state agency. Send in the documentation for your public assistance and we will review your eligibility for this deferment. You will receive notification if your request can or cannot be approved.

When sending in your document(s), please remember:

• Your (borrower) name must be clearly printed on the document.
• Documents must be dated within the last year.
• Document should indicate the type of assistance that is provided (name of program).

A letter signed by an authorized Peace Corps official providing the beginning and end dates of your service.

If you are: Employed by a Business/Company/Organization

Copies of your most recent pay stubs, which must include:

• Gross pay (pay before taxes and other deductions)
• Pay Frequency (how often you are paid; can be hand written if pay period dates are not included on the stub)

OR

If you are: Self Employed

• A self-signed statement indicating your expected gross monthly income
  
  AND
  
  
• Proof of a newly formed business (which can include but is not limited to):
  • Statement from your accountant
  • Copy of the Articles of Incorporation for the business venture
  • Copy of the Business Charter showing your involvement
  • Application for a tax identification number

OR

If you are: Other

A copy of your most recently filed Federal Income Tax Return.*

* Tax returns are not acceptable proof of income for initial requests.

Documentation of your eligibility for unemployment benefits, such as an award letter, benefit approval letter, or copy of your unemployment check.

Note: Documentation must show your name (borrower) as the beneficiary.

During your unemployment deferment, payments will be postponed for 6 months from the date of your request. The deferment period will begin on your date of unemployment (per documentation) unless you request a later start date.

A letter from an authorized official of the internship/residency program certifying the beginning and end dates of your program.

If you are: Employed by a Business/Company/Organization

Copies of your most recent pay stubs, which must include:

• Gross pay (pay before taxes and other deductions)
• Pay Frequency (how often you are paid; can be hand written if pay dates are not provided on the stub)

OR

If you are: Self Employed

A statement signed by you indicating your expected gross monthly income

OR

If you are: Unemployed, and not receiving income from other sources

A statement signed by you indicating you receive $0 income.

AND

Documentation of the monthly payment amount due on any federal student loans not serviced by Nelnet. 

For example, a monthly statement or disclosure statement that provides your monthly payment amount.

Note: Federal student loans do not include private or alternative loans. Work with your lender if you are unsure if your loans are considered federal student loans.

A statement from an authorized official of the DOD certifying the beginning and end dates that you are expected to perform the type of service that qualifies you for partial repayment of your loan(s).

A statement from an authorized official of the CNCS certifying the beginning and end dates that you are expected to perform the type of national service that qualifies you for partial repayment of your loan(s) under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993.

Provide proof of additional loans not serviced by Nelnet including loan type, current principal balance, and the disbursement dates.

Provide proof of additional loans not serviced by Nelnet including loan type, current principal balance and the disbursement dates.

Proof of your current gross monthly income. Please note that if you are providing copies of your pay stubs they must be consecutive, include your frequency of pay, and be dated within the last 90 days.

Provide copies of your signed federal tax form (1040, 1040 A, 1040X, 1040 EZ, or 8879).

Provide proof of your current gross monthly income. Please note that if you are providing copies of your pay stubs, they must be consecutive, include your frequency of pay, and be dated within the last 90 days. You are not required to report any untaxed income such as Social Security income or child support.

Provide copies of your signed federal tax form (1040, 1040 A, 1040X, or 1040 EZ).