Hi there,

I will be taking a 12 week (FMLA) unpaid maternity leave starting in August.  I’ll be using accrued vacation time and sick time for the first 9 weeks, and the final 3 weeks will be completely unpaid.  Am I still considered “employed full-time” for the purposes of PSLF during all or part of these 12 weeks? If not, would I be better temporarily deferring my IBR payments until I come back to work?

EDIT:
I just noticed this wording in the PSLF Employment Certification form, so I think this might answer my question—it looks like the 12 week FMLA period does count as “full time employment”:
For purposes of eligibility for PSLF, full-time employment is defined as:
(1) Working in qualifying employment in one or more jobs for the greater of: (A) An annual average of at least 30 hours per week or, for a contractual or employment period of at least 8 months, an averag
e of 30 hours per week; or (B) Unless the qualifying employment is with two or more employers, the number of hours the employer considers full-time.
(2) Vacation or leave time provided by the employer or leave taken for a condition that is a qualifying reason for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. 2612(a)(1) and (3) is equivalent to hours worked in qualifying employment.

Thanks!
Sara

Congratulations on the baby!  You’ve got this exactly right.  Up to the 12 weeks allowed by FMLA is still considered full-time employment.