Instructions on how to complete the Loan Consolidation Application.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Direct Consolidation Loan, borrowers must have at least one Direct Loan or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loan that is in grace, repayment, deferment or default status. Loans that are in an in-school status cannot be included in a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Borrowers can consolidate most defaulted education loans, if they make satisfactory repayment arrangements with the current loan holders or agree to repay their new Direct Consolidation Loan under the Income Contingent Repayment Plan.

Borrowers who do not have Direct Loans may be eligible for a Direct Consolidation Loan if they include at least one FFEL Loan and have been unable to obtain a Federal Consolidation Loan with a FFEL consolidation lender or have been unable to obtain a Federal Consolidation Loan with income-sensitive repayment terms acceptable to them or intend to apply for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Borrowers who have only a Direct Consolidation Loan cannot consolidate again unless they include an additional loan.

Certifications/Documents Required

• You are also required to submit a Repayment Plan Selection form with your Application and Promissory Note. Click here to download this form.
• Complete, sign and date your form and send it to:
  
  U.S. Department of Education
  Consolidation Department
  Loan Consolidation Center
  P.O. Box 242800
  Louisville, KY 40224-2800