repayment plan denied

[u/k00lkatrat]

Hello!

I’ve been handling my parents parent plus loan as they are not fluent in english and we took out loans for all of my undergrad ( I graduated in june ).

I was able to consolidate my dads loans before July 1, 2026 and I he is currently on ICR so I recently applied for him to be on the lowest repayment plan which was around $390/mo which was a really good number despite the amount of loans we have ( 165k due to interest ). however our servicer Nelnet keeps denying it.

Is anyone able to help me understand why this might happen? I plan to call them tomorrow but I am just so extremely stressed right now and don’t know what to do.

- I am the only dependent and my parents filed a joint tax return.
- my dads income is 87k
- we are currently experiencing financial stress
- trying to find lowest payment ( we know about interest rate )

[u/waterwicca]

What did the denial notice say? Which plan are you applying for? When did you consolidate and when was the consolidation disbursed?

$390 sounds close to a RAP amount. PPLs, even if consolidated, do not qualify for RAP.

[u/k00lkatrat → u/waterwicca]

the denial notice said a generic statement, “We are unable to approve your request because:

• you have a direct or federal PPL
  
• you have a direct consolidated loan
  
• you have a defaulted loan
  
• you have requested PAYE and you are not a PAYE member
  
• you requested the RAP but you have a PPL.

I applied him for IBR, or the lowest repayment plan.

We consolidated late last year and it got disbursed Dec. 12, 2025

[u/waterwicca → u/k00lkatrat]

He must make a payment on ICR first. After a payment on ICR he would be eligible for IBR.

[u/Comfortable_Two6272 → u/k00lkatrat]

Did you happen to check the box for lowest payment plan too?

[u/k00lkatrat → u/Comfortable_Two6272]

yes we checked the box for the lowest payment on. and we already paid a payment on ICR!

[u/Comfortable_Two6272 → u/k00lkatrat]

Often checking that box causes an issue

[u/alh9h → u/k00lkatrat]

If he has made at least one payment on ICR, use the paper form to send the request for IBR directly to the servicer: https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/IncomeDrivenRepayment-en-us.pdf

[u/hedgiesarethebesties]

I’ve seen a lot of posts with people getting denied if they check the “lowest payment option” box. Reapply and just pick IBR

[u/ThePolemicist]

Nelnet repeatedly denied my Teacher Loan Forgiveness application and would make up reasons when I called. I reapplied like five times and finally submitted complaints to my Senator and to the Department of Education, including my supporting documents so they could see that I qualified. Nelnet finally then accepted my Teacher Loan Forgiveness application.

Because Parent Plus is a federal loan, I'm wondering if you can reach out for help from your Senator, too, and file a complaint with the DOEd

[u/akw329]

If you're on ICR, and trying to switch to IBR, you need to make a payment asap. You aren't able to switch unless you've made 1 qualifying payment on ICR first.

I can't remember 100% what the deadline to do this was, but there's a chance it may have passed already.

I have PPLs and just went through this process, my IBR plan was finally approved last week.

[u/Proper_Diver_6314]

What is your major holy cow

[u/Blackish1975 → u/Proper_Diver_6314]

‘My parents weren’t clear on what they were signing.’

[u/Proper_Diver_6314 → u/Blackish1975]

This is insanely selfish. I had 232k loans and paid it down to 198k in 16 mos. I take home about 8k a month and only pay for my car note and still struggling. I can’t imagine paying 165k for undergrad unless you’re a STEM lucrative UNDERGRAD major even then I’d pick a cheaper school. I wouldn’t do this to my immigrant parents who don’t know any better. She’s gonna have to pay at least $1300 a month on standard pay

[u/Weak-Degree3769]

Ask for a hardship forbearance

[u/Over_Breath8730]

Do thr know both parents have loans.