Parent PLUS
Parent PLUS loans and the SAVE exit: what is still open to you.
Parent PLUS loans never qualified for most income-driven plans, and the 2025 law narrowed the door further. Here is what a parent leaving SAVE can pick as-is, what consolidating changes, and what the default costs.
Rank every plan for me, free Ten questions, two minutes, your own numbers.
The rule in one line
Parent PLUS loans can only use ICR, and only after consolidation. RAP and IBR are closed to them.
- ICR
- Direct Loans. The only income-driven option for Parent PLUS loans, and only after consolidation into a Direct Consolidation Loan. Otherwise a path for borrowers already on it.
- RAP
- Direct Loans, including Direct Consolidation Loans. FFEL and Perkins loans must be consolidated first. Parent PLUS loans and consolidation loans that repaid Parent PLUS are excluded. For any loan made on or after July 1, 2026 it is the only income-driven plan.
- IBR
- Direct and FFEL loans made before July 1, 2026. The partial financial hardship test was removed by the 2025 law, so nearly everyone with eligible loans qualifies, though some servicer tools still show "not eligible"; the paper form is the way through when that happens. Parent PLUS loans are excluded. A new loan or consolidation on or after July 1, 2026 removes IBR access.
- Tiered Standard
- Loans made on or after July 1, 2026, and borrowers who consolidate on or after that date.
- Dates
- Closes no later than July 1, 2028.
Two parents, ranked as-is
Without consolidating, the plans open to a Parent PLUS borrower are Standard, Graduated and Extended. The ranking below is on all-in cost; Standard wins because it pays the least interest, Graduated has the lowest first bill.
| Parent | #1 plan | A month | All in | Lowest first bill | Set aside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $70,000 income, $60,000 in Parent PLUS loans at 7.5% | Standard 10-year | $712 | $85,465 | Graduated 10-year, $414 | RAP, IBR, PAYE, ICR, Tiered Standard |
| $110,000 income, $90,000 in Parent PLUS loans at 7.5% | Standard 10-year | $1,068 | $128,198 | Graduated 10-year, $621 | RAP, IBR, PAYE, ICR, Tiered Standard |
Assumes single, a family of one, loans made before July 1, 2026, a 7.5% rate, no public service, flat income. Consolidating changes the set: see the rules above and run your own numbers with the Parent PLUS box checked.
Before you consolidate
What consolidation opens
ICR, after consolidation. PSLF: Qualifies. Forgiveness: After 25 years of qualifying payments.
What consolidation closes
A consolidation loan made on or after July 1, 2026 is a new loan under the 2025 law. Read the Tiered Standard and IBR rules above before you sign, and run the ranking both ways.
Parent PLUS is the case the free calculator gets wrong most.
Ten questions with the Parent PLUS box checked, every plan open to you ranked, the closed ones set aside with the reason. Positions 2 onward are free; the kit is $29.
Rank my plans, freeSources
- 34 CFR 685.209, income-driven repayment plans Code of Federal Regulations
- Income-driven repayment plans Federal Student Aid
- Public Law 119-21, the 2025 reconciliation act (student loan title) Congress.gov
- Top FAQs about income-driven repayment plans Federal Student Aid
- Next steps for borrowers enrolled in the SAVE Plan (press release) U.S. Department of Education