Education Loan Consolidation
Consolidation Loans are available to most borrowers of Federal education loans and come from one of two sources: Direct Consolidation Loans are made by the U.S. Department of Education. You repay a Federal Consolidation Loan to the U.S. Department...
What is Education Loan Consolidation?
Consolidation Loans are available to most borrowers of Federal education loans and come from one of two sources:
- Direct Consolidation Loans are made by the U.S. Department of Education. You repay a Federal Consolidation Loan to the U.S. Department of Education. Federal Consolidation Loans are made through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. No new loans are being made under the FFEL Program. All new loans, and therefore consolidation of those loans, are made under the Direct Loan Program.
- Federal Consolidation Loans are made through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. No new loans are being made under the FFEL Program. All new loans, and therefore consolidation of those loans, are made under the Direct Loan Program.
Program Requirements
Generally, you are eligible to consolidate after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment. Most Federal student loans are eligible for consolidation, including:
- Direct Subsidized Loans
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
- Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
- Direct PLUS Loans
- PLUS loans from the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program
- Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS)
- Federal Perkins Loans
- Federal Nursing Loans
- Health Education Assistance Loans
- Some existing consolidation loans
Private educational loans are not eligible.
A PLUS loan made to the parent of a dependent student cannot be transferred to the student through consolidation. Therefore, a student who is applying for loan consolidation cannot include the PLUS loan the parent took out for the dependent student’s education.
Application Details
What is the application process for Education Loan Consolidation?
You apply for a Direct Consolidation Loan through StudentLoans.gov.
Once you sign in to StudentLoans.gov using your personal identifiers and Federal Student Aid PIN, you will be able to electronically complete the Federal Direct Consolidation Loan Application and Promissory Note. The electronic application on StudentLoans.gov consists of the following five steps:
1. Choose Loans & Servicer
2. Repayment Plan Selection
3. Terms & Conditions
4. Borrower & Reference Information
5. Review & Sign