- Loan Deferment
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If you have previously taken out US Federal Student Loans and are receiving Federal Student Aid while studying at the 51cg, we will automatically update your enrolment status through the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This helps ensure that your eligible loan repayments remain deferred while you are enrolled.The information we submit is shared with the US Department of Education's loan servicers, which administer federal student loan repayments. Please note that it may take some time for your loan servicer's records to be updated. If you are contacted by your loan servicer and asked to provide confirmation of your enrolment, please let us know.
If you are not receiving Federal Student Loans while studying at the 51cg but require a deferment for existing federal loans, please contact the US Loan Administrators at usaloans@abdn.ac.uk. In most cases, we can locate your Social Security Number (SSN) on the Federal Student Loan system using your name and date of birth. If we are unable to do so, we will ask you to provide your SSN securely using the University's file transfer service, ZendTo (). Once we have verified your details, we will update your enrolment information on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
We do not normally complete paper In-School Deferment forms for US Federal Student Loans, as enrolment updates are usually provided through NSLDS. However, private lenders will often require a paper deferment form. If you need a form completed, please email it to usaloans@abdn.ac.uk or submit it to the Infohub when you arrive on campus, and ask for it to be forwarded to the US Loans team.
Please note that once you have completed your period of registered or supervised study you cease to be enrolled at least half-time with us. The date when your studies end is not the same as the date when you will graduate and receive your degree.
Doctoral students who enter an approved extension or writing-up period will continue to be classified as enrolled at least half-time and will normally remain eligible for loan deferment until their expected thesis submission date. For loan reporting purposes, the completion date will be recorded as the date the thesis is submitted.
- What is the NSLDS?
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The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education's central database for information on Federal Student Aid, including loans and grants provided under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended.
NSLDS provides a comprehensive record of a student's federal financial aid throughout its lifecycle. This includes the approval and disbursement of funds, as well as repayment, deferment, delinquency, and loan closure.
- NSLDS Enrolment Status Reporting
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The University is required to report students' enrolment status to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). The status reported may affect your eligibility for US Federal Student Loans and loan deferment.
- F (Full-Time) or H (Half-Time or More)
Students studying full-time will normally be reported as F. Students studying at least half-time may be reported as H. Students reported as F or H remain eligible to receive US Federal Student Loans, subject to meeting all other eligibility requirements. -
L (Less Than Half-Time)
Students studying less than half-time will be reported as L. Students with this status are not eligible for US Federal Student Loans and are not eligible for in-school deferment. Students who have completed their studies but are awaiting formal confirmation from the Exam Board will also be reported as L. -
G (Graduated)
Students will be reported as G once the Exam Board confirms that they have successfully completed their programme of study. -
W (Withdrawn)
Students who suspend or withdraw from their studies will be reported as W and will no longer be eligible for US Federal Student Loans or in-school deferment. -
A (Approved Leave of Absence)
Postgraduate Research students who have an approved Leave of Absence will be reported as A. During this period, students are not eligible to receive US Federal Student Loans. However, existing federal loans will normally remain in a deferred status. -
Postgraduate Research Students in an Extension Period
Postgraduate Research students will normally continue to be reported as H during an approved extension or writing-up period following their supervised study.Once a thesis is submitted for assessment, the student will be reported as L (Less Than Half-Time) and will no longer be eligible for US Federal Student Loans, unless corrections are required following the viva examination.
After Registry has confirmed that the student has been awarded their PhD, their status will be updated to G (Graduated).
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Effect on Loan Deferment
If your attendance status is reported as L (Less Than Half-Time), W (Withdrawn) or G (Graduated), you will no longer be eligible for in-school deferment. You should review the terms and conditions of your loans and repayment obligations when your study status changes. For further information, please visit the page (opens in a new window).
- F (Full-Time) or H (Half-Time or More)
- Do students have access to the information?
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Students and parents can access their Federal Student Aid information on
Student borrowers can use the site to view and manage their federal student loans and grants. Information available includes loan disbursements, outstanding balances, and the status of each federal aid award.
Protect your account information. Never share your FSA ID username or password with anyone. Your FSA ID is personal to you and provides access to your federal student aid records and other sensitive information.
- How do I access the information?
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- You will need your FSA user ID and password.
- Log on to
The NSLDS site does not summarize non-federal debt, such as:
- Non-federal alternative student loans (lent by a bank)
- Unpaid 51cg student account debt (i.e. outstanding tuition fees or accommodation fees)
- How to Determine If you Have Non-Federal Debt
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- Private alternative student loans lent through a bank: Contact your loan service provider.
- Unpaid 51cg student account debt: Access your epayments page - www.abdn.ac.uk/epayments