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Eligibility for Consolidating Student Loans

To receive a Federal Consolidation Loan, you must meet the following criteria:
  • Student borrowers must be out of school or attending school less than half time. When you reduce your enrollment to less than half time, you automatically enter the six-month, post-school grace period. Please check your school's definition of a half-time student.
  • The best time to consolidate is during your six-month grace period because the interest rate on our Federal consolidation loans is automatically .60% lower*. By consolidating during this time, you’ll lock in the discount but lose your remaining grace period. If you apply early in your grace period, the Academic Lending Center will offer you the option of holding your application until two months before your grace period expires so you can take full advantage of both your discount and your grace period.
  • If you are a parent borrower, you may consolidate your loans at any time, regardless of your child's enrollment status. Your loans must be fully disbursed for consolidation.
  • You must certify that you do not have another application for a Federal Consolidation Loan pending with another lender.
* This is for loans disbursed between July 1, 1995 and June 30, 2006.

Loan Types Eligible for Consolidation:
Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans.
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans.
Federal Perkins Loans Federal Perkins Loans.
Federal Supplementary Loans Federal Supplementary Loans (SLS).
Federal Nursing Student Loans Federal Nursing Student Loans (NSL).
Health Professions Student Loans Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL).
Federal PLUS Loans Federal PLUS Loans.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans Federal Direct PLUS Loans.
Direct Unsubsidized Consolidation Loan, including Direct PLUS Consolidation Loans DUCON - Direct Unsubsidized Consolidation Loan, including Direct PLUS Consolidation Loans.
Subsidized Federal Consolidation Loans SCON - Subsidized Federal Consolidation Loans.
Unsubsidized Federal Consolidation Loan UCON - Unsubsidized Federal Consolidation Loan.