Is it too late to double consolidate parent plus loans?

Asked by: Violette Howell  |  Last update: July 19, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (61 votes)

The double consolidation loophole makes it possible, but you need to follow a very specific process. And you must complete the steps before the loophole closes in 2025: Review your student loans in the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and identify the parent PLUS loans.

Does double consolidation work for parent PLUS loans?

Yes it'll still work. You can consolidate the parent plus on its own via a paper application at a servicer.

Can you apply for the parent PLUS loan more than once?

Yes, you can borrow a Parent PLUS Loan each semester your dependent student is enrolled. It's not limited to a certain number of semesters per academic year.

Can I consolidate my loans twice?

Only the loan you have listed on the MPN(loan application) can be in the new consolidation, servicer is not allowed to add any other loans to it, unless you add additional loans within the 180 day after the new consolidation loan disbursement. There is no limit on how many consolidation you can do.

What if my parent PLUS loan is not enough?

Get additional Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

If you're a parent and you're unable to get a PLUS loan, your child may be able to get additional unsubsidized loan funds. Normally, a dependent student can't get as much unsubsidized loan funding as an independent student can.

How to Get Parent PLUS Loan Forgiveness After Double Consolidation Ends

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Can I increase the amount of my parent PLUS loan?

Please note that requests for a Parent PLUS increase can only be completed if the credit check on the original loan is still valid. If the credit check has expired, the parent-borrower will need to complete a new PLUS loan application to receive additional funds.

Are parent PLUS loans forgiven after 10 years?

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.

How long does the double consolidation process take?

Borrowers interested in this benefit should start the double consolidation process ASAP as it can take as long as six months to complete. Parent PLUS loans are not eligible for any of the income-driven repayment (IDR) plans in and of themselves.

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.

Can we merge two loan accounts?

Merging your loan accounts into one will boost your credit score as it will close all of your existing credit accounts and open a new one. You might see a temporary dip in your CIBIL score when consolidating your debt, but it will be rectified soon enough.

What is the max parent PLUS loan amount?

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.

Can you update a parent PLUS loan?

If a parent selected the maximum loan amount on the original Parent PLUS Loan application, an increase can be processed through the loan adjustment form.

Is it too late to apply for parent PLUS loans?

The deadline for parent PLUS loan applications varies by institution. The federal deadline for the FAFSA is June 30 of each award year, but many institutions have earlier deadlines. Check with your child's school to see when the deadline for completing a parent PLUS loan is.

How many times can you take out a parent PLUS loan?

A parent can obtain a PLUS Loan for each child in each school year. You can obtain additional PLUS Loans for any year that you have an eligible child in school.

Are consolidated parent PLUS loans eligible for forgiveness?

Parent PLUS loans can be eligible for Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). However, they must be consolidated into a federal Direct Consolidation loan first. Your eligibility for these programs can depend on your income and the type of employer you work for.

Do you inherit parent PLUS loans?

What happens to my parent's PLUS loan if my parent dies or if I die? Your parent's PLUS loan will be discharged if your parent dies or if you (the student on whose behalf your parent obtained the loan) die.

Is it bad to have two debt consolidation loans?

Debt consolidation should advance your financial goals. A second (or third) debt consolidation can simplify your finances, boost your credit, and improve your financial health by helping you make on-time payments, lowering your interest costs, and steadily reducing your debt.

Does debt consolidation ruin 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.

Is 20k in debt a lot?

U.S. consumers carry $6,501 in credit card debt on average, according to Experian data, but if your balance is much higher—say, $20,000 or beyond—you may feel hopeless. Paying off a high credit card balance can be a daunting task, but it is possible.

What is the parent plus loophole?

The double consolidation loophole is a way of making your Parent PLUS Loans eligible for the generous repayment terms of the SAVE program. You can do this by changing the source of your loan through multiple consolidations, changing it from an ineligible Parent PLUS Loan to an eligible Direct Consolidation Loan.

Can I double consolidate 3 parent plus loans?

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.

Is it smart to consolidate parent plus loans?

Do not consolidate Parent PLUS loans with other federal student loans. Parent PLUS loans do NOT qualify for all of the income-driven repayment plans and loan forgiveness programs. If you combine other loans with Parent PLUS, you will lose those options for your non-Parent PLUS debt.

How do 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.

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 if I can't pay my 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.