Education Related Deferment (EDU)

There are four types of Education Related Deferments; Graduate Fellowship, Internship/Residency, Rehabilitation and Teacher Shortage.

Graduate Fellowship Deferment

A Graduate Fellowship Deferment is available while you are in-school and participating full-time in a graduate fellowship program. There is no time limit for a Graduate Fellowship Deferment. The deferment form must be certified by an authorized official of the fellowship program.

Internship/Residency Deferment

An Internship/Residency Deferment can be obtained for a maximum of two years while you are:

• serving in an internship program that is required for you to receive professional recognition in order to begin professional practice or service; or
• serving in a medical internship or residency training program that leads to a degree or certificate awarded by an institution of higher education, hospital, or health care facility that offers postgraduate training.

Rehabilitation Deferment

A Rehabilitation Training Deferment may be obtained for a period of time during which you are receiving rehabilitation training under an approved program. There is no time limit for a Rehabilitation Training Deferment.

Teacher Shortage Deferment

A Teacher Shortage Area Deferment (also called a targeted teacher deferment) is available while you are teaching full-time in a public or non-profit private elementary or secondary school in a teacher shortage area defined by the U.S. Department of Education, as recommended by the chief state school officer of the state. You must re-apply for the Teacher Shortage Deferment each school year, for a maximum of three years.

To read specific information about this deferment and download the form for it, click here.

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