During Qualified Military Service, your loan repayments are generally suspended and the loan term is extended by the period of leave. While on leave, interest continues to accrue but you may request that the loan interest rate be reduced to 6% if your loan rate is higher. Upon return from leave, you must resume the loan payments and the interest rate must be restored to the original rate (if it was reduced). The loan must be paid off by the period that includes the original term plus the period of Qualified Military Service.