Can a parent get out of a parent PLUS loan?

Asked by: Wilburn Ankunding  |  Last update: February 18, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (50 votes)

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.

Is there a way to get out of a parent PLUS loan?

There are various circumstances and situations in which a Parent PLUS Loan may be discharged: School closure leading to the inability of your child to complete their program. Your child's school's failure to refund loan money following your child withdrawing from school, withstanding the law.

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 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.

Can each parent take out a parent PLUS loan?

If a student's parents are divorced, both the custodial and non-custodial parent may borrow a PLUS Loan for their dependent, undergraduate student. A step-parent may only borrow a PLUS Loan if they are married to the custodial parent and their financial information was reported on the FAFSA of record.

"We Can't Afford Our House Anymore!"

24 related questions found

Can a parent decline a parent PLUS loan?

You cannot reduce or decline your Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan on myUCF.

How do I get parent PLUS loans out of my parents name?

How to transfer a parent PLUS loan
  1. Ask your child to apply for a student loan in their name: You can help your child complete the application, but the lender may approve or reject it based on their information alone.
  2. Include the parent PLUS loan on the refinancing application: Be sure to note that it is under your name.

Is there loan forgiveness for parent PLUS loans?

Parent PLUS loans can be forgiven under the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Parents can become eligible for these forgiveness programs only if they consolidate their PLUS loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan.

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.

Who is ultimately responsible for paying back a parent PLUS loan?

Can the loan be transferred to the student? No, a Direct PLUS Loan made to a parent cannot be transferred to the child. You, the parent borrower, are legally responsible for repaying the loan.

What is the $100,000 loophole for family loans?

The $100,000 Loophole.

With a larger below-market loan, the $100,000 loophole can save you from unwanted tax results. To qualify for this loophole, all outstanding loans between you and the borrower must aggregate to $100,000 or less.

How much can a parent take out in a parent PLUS loan?

The maximum Direct PLUS Loan amount that can be borrowed is the cost of attendance at your school minus any other financial assistance received.

How can I lower my parent PLUS loan payments?

Refinancing. If you have good credit and enough household income to qualify, you may also be able to refinance your Parent PLUS loan to a lower interest rate through a private lender, which can potentially save you money.

Can a child take over a parent PLUS loan?

As long as the Parent PLUS loan is in your name, you're solely responsible for payments. Once the refinance is complete, the loan is transferred to your child, who will be responsible for payments.

How many people take out parent PLUS loans?

Data Summary. As of Q4 2023, approximately 3.8 million Americans owe $112.2 billion in outstanding Parent PLUS loans.

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.

Why would a parent take out a parent PLUS loan?

One type of Direct PLUS loan is the Parent PLUS loan, made to the biological parent or adoptive parent of a dependent undergraduate student to help cover the cost of the student's education.

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.

Is it worth consolidating parent PLUS loans?

If you have Parent Plus loans, consolidation will make those loans eligible for the income contingent repayment plan. Consolidation is also one way of getting your federal loans out of default. Consolidation can also lower your monthly payments by extending the term of the loan.

Can parents make you pay parent PLUS loans?

A Direct PLUS Loan made to you as a parent cannot be transferred to your child. You are responsible for repaying the loan. Can I ever postpone making loan payments? Yes, under certain circumstances you may receive a deferment or forbearance, which allows you to temporarily stop or lower your payments.

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.

What disqualifies parent PLUS loans?

If you're a parent or graduate student seeking a Direct PLUS Loan, one of the requirements to qualify is that you must not have an adverse credit history. If your application is denied because of an adverse credit history, don't give up. You still have options.

How do I get out of my 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.

Can parent PLUS loans be written off?

In some situations, Parent PLUS loans can qualify for loan forgiveness. They need to be Direct Consolidated Federal Loans,s and some additional steps need to be followed. If a parent is employed by certain non-profits or a government agency, they could qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Can two parents take out parent PLUS loans?

If the student's parents are divorced, both the custodial parent and the noncustodial parent are eligible to borrow from the PLUS loan program, provided that the combined amounts borrowed do not exceed the cost-of-attendance minus aid received cap.