Are parent PLUS loans forgiven after 10 years?

Asked by: Prof. Hazel Ankunding I  |  Last update: January 25, 2026
Score: 5/5 (56 votes)

Parent PLUS loans can potentially be forgiven after 10 years under specific conditions, such as through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program after consolidation into a direct consolidation loan. Parent borrowers must enroll in the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan to qualify for PSLF.

Do parent PLUS loans go away after 10 years?

Yes, borrowers with Parent PLUS Loans can have their debts forgiven after 10 years (or 120 eligible monthly payments) with the PSLF program.

Do parent PLUS loans ever get forgiven?

Do parent PLUS loans qualify for forgiveness? Parent PLUS loans can qualify for federal student loan forgiveness under two possible programs: Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Parents can have their loans forgiven after making 10 years' worth of monthly payments.

How can I get rid of my parent PLUS loan?

Here are four methods you can try for working toward parent PLUS loan forgiveness, depending on your personal situation.
  1. Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR)
  2. Public service loan forgiveness (PSLF)
  3. Career-based loan repayment assistance programs.
  4. Refinance parent PLUS loans in your child's name.

How many years do you get to pay off a parent PLUS loan?

Generally, you'll have from 10 to 25 years to repay your loan, depending on the repayment plan that you choose. Your required monthly payment amount will vary depending on how much you borrowed, the interest rates on your loans, and your repayment plan. Choose a repayment plan that best meets your needs.

Parent PLUS loans can qualify for forgiveness if they’re consolidated

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Is there a lifetime limit on parent PLUS loans?

Unlike all other federal student loans, there are no explicit borrowing limits for parent PLUS loans. Parents may borrow up to the full cost of attendance, which is determined by the institution, not the government, and includes books, travel and living expenses. There are no ability-to-repay standards for PLUS loans.

What happens if you can't pay back a parent PLUS loan?

Defaulting on a Parent PLUS Loan can lead to serious consequences, including wage garnishment, credit score damage, and the loss of federal benefits. But you can recover through loan rehabilitation or consolidation with the U.S. Department of Education.

What happens to a parent PLUS loan if the borrower dies?

If a borrower dies, their federal student loans are discharged after the required proof of death is submitted. The borrower's family is not responsible for repaying the loans. A parent PLUS loan is discharged if the parent dies or if the student on whose behalf a parent obtained the loan dies.

Can I transfer my parent PLUS loan to my daughter?

Parent PLUS loans are made directly to parents for their child's education. Under the current rules, parents cannot transfer these federal loans to a child, and they are solely responsible for paying back the loan.

What is the average parent PLUS loan debt?

Based on the information from Federal Student Aid, as of 2022, the average Parent PLUS Loan debt is $29,528. Although that might not sound like a huge amount, it depends on the parent's income.

What is the loophole for parent plus borrowers?

How to Use the Double Consolidation Loophole: The key to using the double consolidation loophole is to consolidate each of your Parent PLUS Loans twice. In this scenario, a borrower can have as few as two Parent PLUS Loans.

What happens to parent PLUS loans when you retire?

The Education Department doesn't forgive loan balances for parents when they retire. It will keep sending bills and adding interest until you pay off the debt, die or become totally and permanently disabled, or qualify for one of the department's student loan forgiveness programs.

Can I get a refund on a parent PLUS loan?

A refund is issued to the parent-borrower 7-10 days after the loan has been disbursed to the student's account. The parent-borrow may elect to receive their refund via Digital Disbursement via Zelle or by Paper check.

Is there a chance that parent PLUS loans will be forgiven?

Many parents struggling to repay student loan debt can qualify for loan forgiveness. A federal parent PLUS loan may be eligible for forgiveness through an income-contingent repayment plan or the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. There are also options for parents that take out loans from private lenders.

Are student loans forgiven at age 70?

Are student loans forgiven when you retire? No, the federal government doesn't forgive student loans at age 50, 65, or when borrowers retire and start drawing Social Security benefits. So, for example, you'll still owe Parent PLUS Loans, FFEL Loans, and Direct Loans after you retire.

Can I get my name off a parent PLUS loan?

If approved, the student can pay off the Parent PLUS loan with their new loan and begin making payments on the new loan. Transferring a Parent PLUS loan to a student involves refinancing through a private lender. The student must apply for a new loan to pay off the Parent PLUS loan.

Can grandparents take parent PLUS loans?

Note: Grandparents (unless they have legally adopted the dependent student) and legal guardians are not eligible to receive parent PLUS loans, even if they have had primary responsibility for raising the student.

Can a parent get out of a parent PLUS loan?

Your parent PLUS loan may be discharged if you (not the child) become totally and permanently disabled, die, or (in some cases) file for bankruptcy. Your parent PLUS loan also may be discharged if the student for whom you borrowed dies.

Do parent PLUS loans pass on to children?

As a parent PLUS borrower, can I transfer responsibility for repaying the loan to my child? No, a Direct PLUS Loan made to a parent cannot be transferred to the child.

What debts are not forgiven upon death?

Medical debt and hospital bills don't simply go away after death. In most states, they take priority in the probate process, meaning they usually are paid first, by selling off assets if need be.

What happens when a parent dies and still has a mortgage?

Generally speaking, the person who inherits must either assume the mortgage and start making payments or arrange to sell the property. When multiple heirs agree to assume the mortgage, they become co-borrowers and continue making mortgage payments.

Is my spouse responsible for my parent PLUS loan?

Nothing happens to Parent PLUS Loans in a divorce. The person who filled out the FAFSA paperwork and signed the promissory note remains responsible for repaying the debt. The lender will continue to hound the parent-borrower for payment. The divorce decree doesn't change that responsibility.

What are the disadvantages of parent PLUS loans?

What Are Some Reasons to Avoid PLUS Loans? First, PLUS loans have no automatic grace period. Then there's the fact they aren't eligible for most IDR plans. Then, borrowing too much is easy to do, and finally, they're nearly impossible to get out of, even in bankruptcy.

Can social security be garnished for parent PLUS loans?

The federal government can potentially garnish your wages and Social Security benefits. But Parent PLUS loans do offer more flexible repayment options than most private loans, which can help borrowers better manage their debt obligation.

How many years do you have to pay off a parent PLUS loan?

Standard repayment plan: Pay off your loan by making fixed monthly payments for 10 years. Graduated repayment plan: Start with smaller payments, then have your payments gradually increase during the 10-year repayment period. Extended repayment plan: Fixed or graduated payments for 25 years.