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Education Loan Consolidation

This program allows eligible persons to consolidate Federal educational loans.

1-800-557-7394

Apply for Loan Consolidation

U.S. Department of Education

Benefit Categories >

Education Loans /

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Loans

undefined 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.

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.

undefined Education Loan Consolidation?

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.

undefined Education Loan Consolidation?

Maximum Loan Amount: None

Interest Rate: Weighted average interest rate on the loans being consolidated, rounded to the nearest one-eighth of 1 percent, not to exceed 8.25 percent. Currently, the interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan. For more information of the specific loan terms, please visit the Loan Consolidation home page.

Maximum Loan Length: 10-30 years

Frequency of Payments: Varies

Prepayment penalties: None

Fees: None


	10-30 years
	Varies, does not exceed 8.25%
	N/A
	Varies
	None
	None

undefined Education Loan Consolidation?

You apply for a Direct Consolidation Loan through StudentAid.gov.

Once you sign in to Studentaid.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