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

Asked by: Miss Alverta Sawayn  |  Last update: July 9, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (16 votes)

You, the parent borrower, are legally responsible for repaying the loan.

Who is responsible for paying back parent PLUS Loans?

PLUS loans are federal loans that parents can take out to cover their child's college costs. The parent, not the student, is responsible for repaying the PLUS loan.

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.

Is it a parent's responsibility to pay back their children's student loans?

When the time comes to start making payments, only the student is obligated to repay these loans — not the parents. In fact, there's no co-signer. If the student defaults on a federal student loan, it will affect the student's credit and won't be reported on the parent's credit history.

Who is responsible for parent PLUS loan after death?

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. Learn more about discharge due to death and what documentation is needed for discharge. Was this page helpful?

Do I Still Need To Pay Back The Parent Plus Loan?

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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.

Are children liable for parents debts after death?

In general, you will not inherit any individual debt incurred by your parents or other family members. Deep sigh of relief. At the time of their passing, your parent's estate will be used to pay off or settle any outstanding debts.

Do you inherit your parents student loan debt?

No one inherits your student loans if you die, but private lenders can seek repayment from your estate, a cosigner (for loans taken out before Nov. 20, 2018), or your spouse if you took out the debt during your marriage and you live in a community property state.

How long do you have to repay 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.

Are parents responsible for their children's debts?

Once a child turns 18, the child is legally responsible for his or her own medical bills unless the parent signs an agreement with the medical provider to pay those bills. As for other debts incurred by children under 18, parents generally are not legally liable for these debts.

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.

How can I get out of my parent PLUS loan?

How Can Parent PLUS Loans Be Discharged?
  1. School closure leading to the inability of your child to complete their program.
  2. Your child's school's failure to refund loan money following your child withdrawing from school, withstanding the law.
  3. Your death or the death of the child you borrowed for.

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.

What happens if you don't pay back parent PLUS loans?

You will lose repayment plan options and restart the clock on PSLF and other forgiveness programs. You can learn more about the consolidation process here . Act quickly to avoid default. Default can result in consequences like garnishment of your wages, federal tax return, or Social Security.

What are the negatives about the parent PLUS loan?

Drawbacks of the Parent PLUS Loan
  • Discharge: Federal parent PLUS loans are rarely discharged for financial difficulties resulting from unemployment, age-related or other illnesses and injuries, or bankruptcy.
  • Nontransferable: Parents cannot transfer the PLUS loan to their student to repay after they finish school.

Who gets the parent PLUS loan refund?

The parent-borrower will have the option to choose "Me" or "The Student." If they choose "The Student," any available refund will be issued to the student. If they choose "Me" (refunds go to the parent-borrower), we are required to issue the refund to the parent- borrower.

Can parent PLUS loans ever be forgiven?

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.

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.

How to lower parent PLUS loan payments?

Income-Contingent Repayment is the only income-driven repayment plan parent PLUS loan borrowers can use. To be eligible, you must first consolidate your parent PLUS loans. Switching to Income-Contingent Repayment could lower your payments significantly if you qualify.

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

Like with other types of federal student loans, Parent PLUS loans can be discharged upon the death of either the borrower or the student beneficiary. Applicants must submit specific documentation, including a death certificate or a certified copy of a death certificate, to initiate the discharge process.

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.

Do student loans disappear after 7 years?

Student loans don't go away after seven years. There is no program for loan forgiveness or cancellation after seven years. But if you recently checked your credit report and wondered, “why did my student loans disappear?” The answer is that you have defaulted student loans.

Can you be forced to pay your parents' debt?

Your mother or father may have had substantial credit card debt, a mortgage, or cr loan. The short answer to the question is no, you will not be personally responsible for the debt, but failure to pay such a debt can affect the use and control of secured assets like real estate and vehicles.

Do I have to pay my deceased mother's credit card debt?

When a loved one passes away, you'll have a lot to take care of, including their finances. It's important to remember that credit card debt does not automatically go away when someone dies. It must be paid by the estate or the co-signers on the account.

Does the oldest child inherit the parents debt?

In most cases, children are not personally responsible for their parents' debts unless they have co-signed or jointly hold the debt.