<p>I recently received a letter to do undergraduate research with a group not affiliated with my university. It starts in the fall but will spill over to the spring if they like me enough or if my findings somehow needs to extend into the spring semester.</p>
<p>So my question is:
If I take a year off with the intention of returning, will I have to start paying off loans if I am not a student during that year?</p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>But don’t make this a reason to turn down a good offer. Plan ahead, so that you have money available to make the loan payments. The financial aid office at your university can help you figure things out.</p>
<p>What are you being paid for the internship? You may earn little enough that the loan payments can be deferred to interest only.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if it’s paid yet. But let’s assume it isn’t.</p>