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Why Parent PLUS Loans Are the WORST

November 4, 2014 | Adam S. Minsky, Esq. Default Income-Based Repayment Pay-As-You-Earn

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When people talk to me about my student loan law practice, most will assume that my clients are all struggling 20-somethings with overwhelming loads of student loan debt. People are always surprised when I tell them that I actually have many clients who are parents struggling with the debts that they incurred to pay for their child’s education. It is natural and understandable that parents want to pay for their kids’ educations. But many do not realize the dangers of parent debt until it’s too late.

The most common type of parent loan is a Parent PLUS loan. A Parent PLUS loan is a federal loan taken on entirely by the parent; the student has no legal responsibility, only the parent. Over $10 billion in Parent PLUS loans are disbursed every year. And they are some of the worst student loans out there. Here’s why:

  • Parent PLUS loans have very high interest rates, the highest among any type of federal student loan. Right now, interest rates for Parent PLUS loans are 7.21%. However, it is common for loans disbursed in prior years to have interest rates in excess of 8%, and under current law, they may rise as high as 10.5% in the coming years. That’s $1,050 in interest per year for every $10,000 disbursement.
  • Parent PLUS loans incur origination fees, which can be over 4% of the disbursed loan balance. Combined with the high interest rate, this makes PLUS loans exceptionally expensive.
  • Parent PLUS loans are not eligible for income-driven repayment, such as Income-Based Repayment (IBR) or Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE). This is particularly problematic for parents who take out large Parent PLUS loans and intend to retire in the relatively near future. That may no longer be possible with huge monthly loan bills. (Parent PLUS loans can be repaid under Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), an older and less-favorable income-driven option, under certain circumstances, but this can still be tough for many parents).
  • Parent PLUS loans are federal student loans, which means they are subject to the draconian collection powers of the federal government if the loan goes into default. This includes wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and, if the parent is disabled or retired, the offset of Social Security benefits. There is no statute of limitations on the collection of this type of debt, meaning it will follow the parent to the grave.

So if you are a parent and you want to help pay for your child’s college education, it’s advisable to do this through a long-term savings plan. Relying on Parent PLUS loans may be a decision you live to regret.

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Default Income-Based Repayment Pay-As-You-Earn

About Adam S. Minsky, Esq.

Adam S. Minsky founded the first law office in Massachusetts devoted entirely to assisting student loan borrowers, and he is one of the only attorneys in the country practicing in this area of law. He provides counsel, legal assistance, and direct advocacy for borrowers on a variety of student loan-related matters. He regularly speaks to students, graduates, and advocates about the latest developments in higher education financing.

Books by Adam S. Minsky

The Student Loan Handbook for Law Students and Attorneys

The Student Loan Handbook for Law Students and Attorneys

Student Loan Debt 101

Student Loan Debt 101: The Definitive Guide to Understanding and Managing Your Student Loans

Student Loans for Parents and Cosigners

The Student Loan Guide for Parents and Cosigners

617-936-2788
asminsky@minsky-law.com
By Appointment Only 265 Franklin Street, Suite 1702
Boston, MA 02110

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