Deferment can be authorized for
-economic hardship,
-unemployment,
-military deployment,
-enrollment in school,
-internship,
-national service, and
-similar situations.
Remember if you defer (unless it’s a subsidized Stafford loan) you will continue accruing interest and that interest will be capitalized (added to the principal of your loan) so this can be an expensive option.
If there is any way to repay, it’s best to pay them down as quickly as possible.