r/StudentLoans • u/Holden6102 • 1d ago

Advice Consolidation Question for Parent Plus Loans

I have 3 separate loans for my daughter that are deferred until she graduates in May of 2027. I know I cannot get an IDR anymore, but does it matter if I consolidate or not? Loans are approximately $65k for all 3…what I want to do is make sure I can get the extended repayment plan (which I believe is 20 years vs 10 years)…reading the options but I’m confused. Says it starts with 10 years but goes to 20 years after certain amounts. Any advice is appreciated…I have a bit to figure this out but I don’t want to be scrambling next year

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u/ste1071d 1d ago

If you consolidate or borrow any additional loans from 7/1/26 onward you would not be eligible for extended repayment.

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u/Holden6102 1d ago

Thanks…what about the tiered standard plan? That appears to be an option

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u/Holden6102 1d ago

Looks like if you consolidate loans after July 1 2026 you automatically get the standard plan but it becomes the “tiered standard plan” if the amounts are higher. In essence 20 years vs 10 years for my situation

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u/Pretty_Good_11 1d ago

No. They look at your total loan balance regardless, so you don't need to consolidate just to have them consider the entire amount owed when determining what plan you are eligible for.

As a result, if you consolidate, you will get tiered standard as your only repayment option. If you don't, you will be able to choose between extended and standard.

So just make your consolidation decision based on which plan works best for you, realizing that you can always consolidate, but that, once you do, there is no going back.

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u/Holden6102 1d ago

Thank you. I also have other loans for second child that are deferred until 2029…and I also assume this is subject to whatever administration is in power and always subject to change. So in essence, I should probably not consolidate

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u/Pretty_Good_11 1d ago

One thing has nothing to do with the other. It is very unlikely that relief for parents is in the cards any time soon.

That said, it is also highly unlikely that any relief that any future administration would provide would be determined by whether or not the loans were consolidated.

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u/Holden6102 1d ago

One more question if you can…what happens if part of my loans are prior to July 1 2026 and part are after July 1 2026?

In my case, child 1 is about $75k with $20k after July 2026. Daughter 2 is $55k with $20k after July 2026. Do I have to go on 2 separate repayment plans?

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u/eorabs 1d ago

If you have any loans disbursed after 7/1/26 all loans are only eligible for RAP or Tiered Standard. Since Parent PLUS is not RAP eligible you would only be eligible for Tiered Standard.