October 5, 2024
Zack Geist, Founder of Student Loan Tutor

Have Parent PLUS Loans: What You Need to Know Before 2025

Borrowers have utilized a strategy known as the double consolidation loophole. This involves going through multiple federal consolidations to obscure the origin of the loans, enabling access to more favorable IDR plans.

An important consolidation loophole is closing soon. 

If you've taken out Parent PLUS loans to finance your child's education, you might want to reconsider this option. While these loans can help cover college expenses, they often come with significant drawbacks that make them less favorable compared to other federal student loans. With important changes on the horizon in 2025, it's crucial to understand the implications and your options.

What Is the Parent PLUS Loan Cliff?

Parent PLUS loans are among the least advantageous options for financing education. Parents take on debt in their own names, meaning they bear full responsibility for repayment without the option to consolidate these loans with their child's student loans. For low-income parents, the only income-driven repayment (IDR) option available is income-contingent repayment (ICR), which offers limited benefits compared to other plans. Moreover, these loans aren’t eligible for several federal student loan forgiveness programs, which further restricts borrowers' options.

To navigate these limitations, some borrowers have utilized a strategy known as the double consolidation loophole. This involves going through multiple federal consolidations to obscure the origin of the loans, enabling access to more favorable IDR plans. However, this loophole is set to close in 2025, making it imperative for borrowers to act swiftly.

Why Parent PLUS Loans Are Not Ideal

  1. Limited Repayment Options: Unlike other federal loans, Parent PLUS loans have restricted repayment plans, which can make managing debt more challenging.
  2. High Interest Rates: These loans generally come with higher interest rates and additional fees, increasing the overall cost of borrowing.
  3. Impact on Financial Health: Taking on debt for a child’s education can jeopardize parents' financial stability and retirement savings, leading to long-term consequences.
  4. Lack of Forgiveness Opportunities: Parent PLUS loans are excluded from many forgiveness programs, limiting the ability to relieve financial burdens down the line.

Let Us Handle Everything for You

If you’re looking to take advantage of the double consolidation loophole before it closes, our team at Student Loan Tutor will manage all the paperwork and consolidation for you, ensuring everything is done correctly and without the usual headaches. You won’t need to worry about learning the ins and outs of the process—we’ve got you covered. The consolidation can take 6 to 8 months, and with our expertise, you’ll be set up for access to various IDR plans, including the beneficial SAVE plan. 

Final Thoughts

Parent PLUS loans carry significant downsides, including fewer benefits and higher costs compared to other federal loans. As you consider financing options for your child's education, explore alternatives such as scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. It’s also important to set realistic limits on how much debt you’re willing to incur for education.

If you currently have Parent PLUS loans, take immediate action to utilize the double consolidation loophole before it closes in 2025. The window of opportunity is limited, and after that, your options for managing these loans will be severely restricted. Remember, the stakes are high when it comes to financial health—act wisely, and let us help you through the process.Time is running out, so get on our calendar today to get started! 

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity. Schedule your free evaluation today.

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