Federal student loans to parents

See PLUS loan

Usually these are PLUS loans (formerly standing for "Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students"). Unlike loans made to students, parents can borrow much more — usually enough to cover any gap in the cost of education. However, there is no grace period: Payments start immediately.

Parents should be aware that THEY are responsible for repayment on these loans, not the student. This is not a 'cosigner' loan with the student having equal accountability. The parents have signed the master promissory note to pay and, if they do not do so, it is their credit rating that suffers. Also, parents are advised to consider "year 4" payments, rather than "year 1" payments. What sounds like a "manageable" debt load of $200 a month in freshman year can mushroom to a much more daunting $800 a month by the time four years have been funded through loans. The combination of immediate repayment and the ability to borrow substantial sums can be expensive.

Under new legislation, graduate students are eligible to receive PLUS loans in their own names. These Graduate PLUS loans have the same interest rates and terms of Parent PLUS loans.

Parents should also be aware that legislation raised the interest rate on these loans significantly — to 8.5% on July 1, 2006.

Student Loan Consolidation: Why Consolidate

Student Loan Consolidation offers students the flexibility of one lower payment each month. Your student loans will be refinanced and combined into one new loan. Even if you can make the monthly payments from your original school loans, you may still want to consider consolidating to lower your payments and free up money for bills with higher interest rates. These include credit cards and personal loans, neither of which have tax-deductible interest.

Both federal student loan consolidation and private student loan consolidation offer the benefit of a significantly lower monthly payment and simplified finances. If you want to consolidate student loans, begin with your federal Stafford, Parent PLUS, Perkins, and all Federal FFELP and Federal Direct Loans that were taken out for your education. Private student loan consolidation is a separate program that allows you to refinance all non-federal, education related debt. Check out the links below for additional information on how to consolidate student loans, specifically federal loans, private loans, and frequently asked questions.