Maximum Duration of Forbearance

[timmytoughguy]

Hello,

I've got a combination of subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans. I'm looking at possibly a grand total of 9 years of training after med school (5 in residency, 2 research years, 2 yrs fellowship). I can't seem to get a straight answer from the direct loan folks. Is there a maximum length of time that i can forbear or can I forbear for nine years?
Thanks in advance,

TTG

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[dpmd]

You have to apply yearly and demonstrate an inability to pay. They don't set a maximum, but they will need your financial information and may decide not to grant you forebearance if they don't feel you meet the requirements.

Why would you be unable to pay for nine years? Yes your income will not be a ton, but that is precisely the reason they created income based repayment (and why they had income contingent repayment, graduated repayment, and other extended plans).