Can you get more student loans if you default?

Asked by: Alejandrin Funk  |  Last update: December 11, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (7 votes)

For most federal student loans, default means that you haven't made a payment for nine months. There are many consequences that come with defaulted loans, including: You can't get more federal financial aid to pay for college.

Can you get more student loans if you're in default?

To stay eligible for student aid, you'll need to keep making your loan payment each month. If you miss a payment after your eligibility is reinstated, you'll become ineligible for student aid again. If this happens, your only option to get more student aid will be to get out of default. Was this page helpful?

Can I get more student loans if I already owe?

Sort of. You can definitely take more loans, but the payment counts of your existing loans won't count toward the new ones. The temporary consolidation rules that allow this to happen expire at the end of this year. So any new loans can also use PSLF, but they start back at zero payments.

Can I still get financial aid if I have a defaulted loan?

If you have student loans in default, you will not be eligible for any new federal financial aid (grants or loans) until you resolve the default (either by making 6 consecutive payments with the Dept of Ed to rehabilitate the loans, pay the loans in full or consolidate the loans, or another method I didn't mention).

Do I qualify for student loan forgiveness if I defaulted?

Yes, defaulted loans are eligible for debt relief. If you have a remaining balance on your defaulted loan(s) after relief is applied, consider getting or staying out of default through the Fresh Start initiative.

What happens if you default on your student loans? | Explainomics

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Do defaulted student loans go away?

Federal student loans may come off your credit report either seven and a half years after the default or seven years after the loan was transferred to the Department of Education. In both cases, the strikes on your credit report will disappear only if you start to make payments.

Who qualifies for the fresh start program?

Do You Qualify for the IRS Fresh Start Program? To qualify for the IRS Fresh Start Program in 2025, taxpayers generally need to meet one or more of the following conditions: Owe Back Taxes: Individuals or small businesses with outstanding federal tax debt.

How to get student loans out of default fast?

Besides paying in full, student loan consolidation is the fastest route to exit default. You can do either of the following to qualify: Make three full, on-time, consecutive monthly payments on the defaulted loan. Agree to repay your new loan under an income-driven repayment plan.

What disqualifies you from FAFSA?

For example, if your citizenship status changed because your visa expired or it was revoked, then you would be ineligible. Other reasons for financial aid disqualification include: Not maintaining satisfactory progress at your college or degree program. Not filling out the FAFSA each year you are enrolled in school.

Can I go back to college with defaulted student loans?

"Defaulting on private student loans from a bank, credit union or other lender doesn't make you ineligible for federal financial aid. You'll still be able to submit the FAFSA and access federal grants, work-study and student loans for college or graduate school.

How many times can you get student loans?

Although there's no hard limit on the number of student loans, you can have at a time, both federal and private student loans come with restrictions you'll want to consider as you determine the best way to pay for school. Here's everything you need to know.

How to pay for college when you can't afford it?

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  1. Apply for scholarships.
  2. Request an aid adjustment.
  3. Explore additional needs-based programs.
  4. Find part-time work.
  5. Ask about tuition payment plans.
  6. Request additional federal student loans.
  7. Research private or alternative loans.

What to do if you maxed out financial aid?

Federal student loans have both annual and aggregate student loan limits. If you have reached your annual loan limit, you will need to wait until next year to borrow more. If you have reached your aggregate loan limit, you can discuss your situation with your financial aid office.

Can I get more student loans if I still owe?

If a student has federal student loans that are in default, they are not eligible to receive additional federal student aid until the default is resolved. The borrower can resolve a default by paying the defaulted loan in full, consolidating the loan, or rehabilitating the loan.

Can you lose your house if you default on student loans?

When you fall behind on payments, there's no property for the lender to take. The bank has to sue you and get an order from a judge before taking any of your property. Student loans are unsecured loans. As a result, student loans can't take your house if you make your payments on time.

When did the fresh start program start?

On April 26, 2022, the Department of Education announced Fresh Start, a temporary program to help borrowers who have student loans in default. Fresh Start will run until the end of September 2024.

What income is too high for FAFSA?

What income is too high for FAFSA? There is no income that is too high to file a FAFSA. No matter how much you make, you can always submit a FAFSA. Eligibility for need-based financial aid increases as the cost of attendance increases, so even a wealthy student might qualify for financial aid at a higher-cost college.

What can stop you from getting a student loan?

Factors That Can Disqualify You From Student Loans
  • Not Filing Out the FAFSA.
  • Having Criminal Convictions.
  • Not Being a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Noncitizen.
  • Not Having a Diploma or GED.
  • Not Maintaining Satisfactory Progress.
  • Defaulting on Previous Student Loans or Grant Refunds.

Why am I ineligible for a Pell Grant?

Once you have earned a baccalaureate degree or your first professional degree or have used up all 12 terms of your eligibility, you are no longer eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant. Learn more about staying eligible for federal student aid while you're in school.

Will student loans be forgiven if they are in default?

Defaulted loans are not eligible for any of our student loan forgiveness programs. But if you take advantage of Fresh Start, you'll get out of default status. Then you'll regain the ability to apply for forgiveness programs, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

What are the income limits for FAFSA?

Although there are some broad requirements you must meet to qualify for federal aid, there's no FAFSA income limit. The FAFSA's calculations are complex and consider many factors outside of your earnings, including your school's cost of attendance, your family size, and your year in school.

How to qualify for the fresh start program?

Requirements To Qualify For The Fresh Start Program IRS in 2024 & 2025
  1. You must have filed all required tax returns for the previous three years.
  2. You must not owe more than $50,000 in taxes, including interest and penalties. ...
  3. You must agree to pay your taxes owed within six years.

Who qualifies for the IRS forgiveness program?

Owing less than $50,000: The program is available to taxpayers with outstanding tax debts of $50,000 or less. If your debt exceeds this threshold, you may still qualify by paying down your balance to meet the requirement.

Can I apply for the Fresh Start program myself?

Applying for the IRS Fresh Start program

It's only after filing tax returns that you can go to the IRS gov to get yourself enrolled using the Online Payment Agreement tool. The tool lets you choose your preferred repayment option.

How much does the IRS fresh start program cost?

There are no specific fees associated with the IRS Fresh Start program itself. However, there may be costs associated with resolving your tax problems and hiring professional services. Tax professionals or tax resolution firms may charge fees for their services.