Will parent PLUS loans be eligible for forgiveness?

Asked by: Prof. Eleazar Carroll Jr.  |  Last update: August 4, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (27 votes)

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.

Are parent PLUS loans going to be forgiven?

Do parent PLUS loans qualify for forgiveness? Parent PLUS loans can qualify for federal student loan forgiveness under two possible programs: Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Parents can have their loans forgiven after making 10 years' worth of monthly payments.

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.

Do parent PLUS loans get forgiven when a parent dies?

Parent PLUS loans are discharged upon the death of the borrower (the parent). Upon your father's passing, you would need to submit a copy of his death certificate to the loan servicer to initiate the discharge process. Contact the loan servicer for guidance and assistance when the time comes.

Are parent PLUS loans eligible for repayment?

Parent PLUS borrowers are eligible for the following repayment plans: Standard Repayment Plan. Graduated Repayment Plan. Extended Repayment Plan.

Yes, Parent PLUS loans are eligible for debt forgiveness

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How to get rid of parent PLUS loans?

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.

Why are parent PLUS loan payments so high?

Parent PLUS loans are costlier and offer less flexibility than federals loans made directly to students. Here are the details: The interest rate and origination fee are both higher than student loans. If you want to defer payments until after your student graduates, you must contact the servicer.

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.

Do kids have to pay parents debt after death?

It may come as a relief to find out that, in general, you are not personally liable for your parents' debt. If they pass away with debt, it is repaid out of their estate. However, this means that debt repayment could diminish or eliminate assets and property you could have inherited from your parents.

What happens if parents don't pay parent PLUS loans?

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.

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.

Can two parents take out parent PLUS loans?

Can more than one parent borrow a 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.

Can I get my name off a parent PLUS loan?

If approved, the student can pay off the Parent PLUS loan with their new loan and begin making payments on the new loan. Transferring a Parent PLUS loan to a student involves refinancing through a private lender. The student must apply for a new loan to pay off the Parent PLUS loan.

What happens to the leftover money from a parent PLUS loan?

Direct PLUS Loans for Parents

If there is money left over, the school will pay it to you. In some cases, with your permission, the school may give the leftover money to your child.

What is the interest rate for the parent PLUS loan?

Summary: The Parent PLUS Loan is a federal loan that parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for their child's education. The Direct Parent PLUS Loan offers a fixed 9.08% interest rate for the 2024 - 2025 school year and flexible loan limits.

What loans qualify for student loan forgiveness?

Which types of federal student loans qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)? A qualifying loan for PSLF is any non-defaulted loan received under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program.

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.

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.

Am I responsible for my parents' debt if I have power of attorney?

If you're a cosigner, then yes, you would be responsible, but that has nothing to do with being a power of attorney. So if you're serving purely as a POA for someone, their debts are your concern (because you need to decide how they're handled), but they aren't your personal responsibility to repay.

Will parent PLUS loans ever be forgiven?

The Bottom Line. Yes, borrowers with Parent PLUS Loans can have their debts forgiven after 10 years (or 120 eligible monthly payments) with the PSLF program.

Are student loans forgiven after age 65?

Are student loans forgiven when you retire? No, the federal government doesn't forgive student loans at age 50, 65, or when borrowers retire and start drawing Social Security benefits. So, for example, you'll still owe Parent PLUS Loans, FFEL Loans, and Direct Loans after you retire.

At what age do student loans get written off?

After at least 20 years of student loan payments under an income-driven repayment plan — IDR forgiveness and 20-year student loan forgiveness. After 25 years if you borrowed loans for graduate school — 25-year federal loan forgiveness.

What are the negatives about the parent PLUS loan?

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.

Can I claim my parent PLUS loan on my taxes?

Parent PLUS loans are educational loans, and the borrower can get an income tax deduction. When borrowers review their tax deductions, they can deduct up to $2,500 per year in interest paid on the Parent PLUS loan.

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.