1 of 1
Story summary
- Parent PLUS borrowers will lose eligibility for income-driven repayment plans on July 1, 2026.
- To retain IDR options, parents should consolidate their loans into Direct Consolidation Loans by April 2026.
- Experts recommend selecting the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan during consolidation for the lowest monthly payments.
- The typical Parent PLUS loan balance is about $32,000, with total debt exceeding $114 billion.
- Delaying consolidation could significantly limit repayment options.
