Do you have to consolidate loans for a save plan?

Asked by: Julien Renner  |  Last update: June 7, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (45 votes)

If you have non-Direct loans, such as FFEL, Perkins, or HEAL, you must consolidate your loans to qualify for the SAVE repayment plan and for forgiveness programs, like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Income Driven Repayment Forgiveness (IDRF).

Does a save plan require consolidation?

If some of your loans are not eligible for the SAVE Plan, then we encourage you to consolidate all of your loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan so that you can access the SAVE Plan.

What are the downsides of the save plan?

But the SAVE Plan has some limitations: The plan doesn't have a cap on how high payments can be, so some people with incomes that are high compared to their loan balance would pay more on the SAVE Plan than they would on the Standard Repayment Plan.

Do I have to consolidate all of my loans?

You Don't Have to Consolidate All Your Loans

You can leave those loans out and maintain those benefits. For example, say you have Federal Perkins Loans and your work would qualify you for Perkins Loan cancellation benefits. In this case, you shouldn't include your Perkins Loans when you consolidate.

Why can't I apply for a save plan?

A federal court issued an injunction preventing the U.S. Department of Education from implementing parts of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan and other IDR plans. Note: Eligible borrowers may now enroll in PAYE and ICR Plans.

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What loans are eligible for the Save Plan?

Generally, most Direct loans (those held by the Department of Education) are eligible for repayment under the SAVE plan. The main exception is for Parent PLUS loans – these are not eligible.

Who should not apply for the save program?

While the SAVE Plan is a good option for most borrowers, it's not the best option for everyone. If you're trying to pay your loans off in a shorter period of time or if you're aiming to pay only a certain amount over time, then the SAVE Plan may not align with your repayment goals.

What is the double consolidation loophole?

The Double Consolidation Loophole for Parent PLUS Loans is a strategy that reduces your monthly payments through better income-driven repayment plans (such as PAYE, IBR, or SAVE) achieved by consolidating your loans twice.

Which loans need to be consolidated?

Loans eligible for consolidation include FFELP Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized) and PLUS Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, all Federal Direct Loans, and other loans such as Federal SLS, ALAS, HEAL and Health Education Assistance Loans.

How much debt is too much to consolidate?

Lenders typically prefer a DTI of 36% or lower for consolidation loans. So, as a general rule, if your credit card debt has ballooned to the point where it's more than half of your annual income, debt consolidation might not be the best solution.

What is going on with the save plan?

A federal court issued an injunction preventing the U.S. Department of Education from implementing parts of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan and other IDR plans. Note: Eligible borrowers may now enroll in PAYE and ICR Plans. Continue to check this page for more information as developments occurs.

What is the maximum income for the Save Plan?

Who qualifies for the SAVE plan? Most borrowers with federal student loans are eligible for the SAVE plan. There is no income limit to qualify. If you have certain types of federal student loans, such as Perkins or FFELP loans, you may have to consolidate them before you can get on any IDR plan, including SAVE.

Do I have to reapply for a save plan every year?

Borrowers can enroll in the SAVE Plan HERE.

There is no need to reapply or request to change your plan. You can check whether you were already enrolled in the REPAYE Plan by logging in to your account on StudentAid.gov.

Who is exempt from consolidation?

A parent is exempt from consolidation under IFRS 10 if (1) the parent is nonlisted, (2) it is itself a wholly owned subsidiary or a partially owned subsidiary and none of its other owners have objected to the parent's not presenting consolidated financial statements, and (3) its ultimate or intermediate parent prepares ...

How long will a save plan be in forbearance?

I am enrolled in the SAVE Plan. What does the court's injunction mean for me? Borrowers in SAVE and anyone who has applied for SAVE should expect to remain in interest-free general forbearance for six more months or longer, pending further developments from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

What should be avoided in consolidation?

Here are some of the most common mistakes borrowers make when consolidating debt and how to avoid them: Locking in the first interest rate you're offered. Choosing the lowest monthly payment. Borrowing more money than you need.

Should I consolidate my loans for a save plan?

If all your loans are non-Direct, you MUST consolidate to access SAVE and forgiveness programs. You should aim to consolidate by April 30, 2024, to get the maximum credit awarded under the rules of the IDR Account Adjustment.

Do consolidation loans hurt your credit?

If you do it right, debt consolidation might slightly decrease your score temporarily. The drop will come from a hard inquiry that appears on your credit reports every time you apply for credit. But, according to Experian, the decrease is normally less than 5 points and your score should rebound within a few months.

Who is the most reputable debt consolidation company?

Best Debt Consolidation Companies
  • InCharge Debt Solutions.
  • National Debt Relief.
  • SoFi.
  • Prosper Funding.
  • Wells Fargo.
  • Lending Club.
  • Avant.
  • What Is Debt Consolidation?

What are 2 problems with consolidation loans?

Consolidation has potential downsides, too:
  • Because consolidation can lengthen your repayment period, you'll likely pay more in interest over the long run. ...
  • You might lose borrower benefits such as interest rate discounts, principal rebates, or some loan cancellation benefits associated with your current loans.

What is the 20 consolidation rule?

Consolidated financial statements are used when the parent company holds a majority stake by controlling more than 50% of the subsidiary business. Parent companies that hold more than 20% qualify to use consolidated accounting. If a parent company holds less than a 20% stake, it must use equity method accounting.

What score do you need to consolidate debt?

1. Check your credit score. You'll typically need a credit score of at least 700 to qualify for a debt consolidation loan with a competitive interest rate. However, a lower credit score doesn't automatically equal a denial, as some lenders offer loans for bad credit.

What are the downsides to the save plan?

Potential disadvantages of the SAVE plan for student loans

Loan balances might not decrease: Even though loan balances don't increase if your monthly payment is less than the amount of interest your loan accrues, your loan balance might not decrease either.

What is the income limit for the Save Plan?

More borrowers in the SAVE plan are eligible for $0 payments. This plan won't require borrowers to make payments if they earn less than 225% of the federal poverty line — $32,800 a year for a single person. The cutoff for other plans, by contrast, is 150% of the poverty line, or $22,000 a year for a single person.

Does interest accrue on a save plan?

Compared with prior IDR plans, the SAVE plan reduces payments and includes a new benefit that cancels unpaid monthly interest rather than allow a borrower's balance to increase when required payments do not cover accruing interest.